John Lewis has appointed Rita Clifton as its new deputy chairman. Clifton will join in February 2021, replacing Keith Williams, who stepped down in April after six years in the role. Andy Martin became interim deputy chairman in April, and will now continue in his role as non-executive director, as well as chair of the company’s audit and risk committee. Clifton has been recruited from Nationwide Building Society where she has been non-executive director for around eight years. She also stepped down from Asos’ board earlier this year having served six years. She has previously held non-executive roles with Ascential, Dixons Retail, Emap, Bupa and research firm Populus Group.