Sainsbury’s loss is The White Company’s gain. Just as the UK supermarket gears up for a deeper dive into the fashion segment, its general merchandise boss Paula Nickolds is leaving to take on the job of CEO at The White Company.

Nickolds, who was also previously at the helm of John Lewis department stores, will join in March after running GM at Sainsbury’s for almost three years, during which time it has grown its fashion own-brands and brand partnerships both in-store and online.

She succeeds Mary Homer who’s been in top job at The White Company for almost seven years.

Chrissie Rucker, her new employer’s founder, called Nickolds a “passionate, values-driven leader who brings with her a wealth of retail experience across lifestyle, home and fashion as well as a proven track record of customer service excellence. It has been such a pleasure to work with [Mary Homer] for the last seven years. She has been instrumental in growing the business, providing transformational leadership and developing our culture and operational excellence. She led us successfully through the uncertainty of the pandemic and, has always put the customer and our people at the heart of everything we do.”

And Sainsbury’s said: “Over the past three years, Paula has led much progress across our Brands that Deliver strategy, making Argos Habitat and Tu considerably stronger and more competitive than pre-pandemic and she leave a strong team in place”.

Her responsibilities will be assumed by Sainsbury’s chief transformation officer Graham Biggart who will retain his existing role, becoming chief transformation and general merchandise commercial officer.

And reporting to him will be Matt Leeser, currently business unit director for seasonal, toys and electricals, who becomes general merchandise commercial director.