Sainsbury's has forged ahead with plans to drive growth in the business by revising its operating board and creating four new roles.

New roles in information technology and change, commercial services, property and strategy were announced by the supermarket giant this week, taking the operating board to 12 members.

The changes, effective from 15 June, will see commercial director Neil Sachdev become commercial services director.

He joined the retailer in March last year following 28 years at Tesco where he worked in a number of roles including supply chain director and retail director.

Director of Sainsbury's information services Angela Morrison, who joined Sainsbury's from Asda in 2005, will become IT and change director, while John Rogers, director of group finance, will become property director.

Luke Jensen, who joined Sainsbury's last month from consulting firm OC&C in the newly-created role of director of strategy, will also join the operating board.

The appointments would help lead the company through its next stage of development as the business moved from recovery to growth, Sainsbury's said.

In addition, Sainsbury's has strengthened its property team. Since March 2007, the firm has carried out around £2bn of asset-management activity .

A new division has been created, dedicated to managing joint property ventures and potential development opportunities, and maximising the value of Sainsbury's property.

Peter Baguley, previously director of property, will become managing director of the division, reporting directly to chief financial officer Darren Shapland.

"The changes strengthen the operating board and will allow us to focus more effectively on the next stage of our development," said CEO Justin King.

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