John Lewis parts company with Gill Barr

John Lewis has axed the position of marketing director Gill Barr leaving head of brand communications Craig Inglis as the lead marketer.

The company is making her position and the titles director of retail development and systems director redundant to reduce the size of the management board.

Inglis joined from the position of sales and marketing director at Virgin Trains in late 2007.

Barr (pictured) is a former Woolworth’s business development director and joined John Lewis as an interim marketing director in January 2007 to take up Andrew Woodward’s responsibilities. She was confirmed in her board level role in June of that year.

She reintroduced television advertising for the Spring and Christmas campaigns for the first time since 2005 with campaigns created by Lowe London.

However, she called a pitch at the end of last year and appointed Adam & Eve. Lowe pulled out earlier in the process.