Waitrose appoints Rebecca Hemsley as new head of hospitality operations

Waitrose has appointed Rebecca Hemsley as its new head of hospitality operations. 

Hemsley joins from Pret a Manger, where she has spent over a decade. She joined the food-to-go specialist as head of human resources before becoming head of coffee and product launches and latterly head of commercial operations. 

“Rebecca brings a depth of foodservice experience that will be invaluable in supporting the successful development and delivery of our foodservice and hospitality offer, a key part of continuing to provide compelling reasons to shop in Waitrose,” said Waitrose director of retail services Helen Keppel-Compton. 

Hemsley will join Waitrose in January, taking over from Jill Dewar who is now head of store format at John Lewis.

“I’m delighted to be joining Waitrose to continue building on the hospitality offer, ensuring customers can buy food and drink on the go and have a space to enjoy them if they want to,” said Hemsley.

“Waitrose has been on my list of amazing places to work since I was a graduate and with over 20 years of experience in food, commercial, HR and finance functions, I’m thrilled to have this opportunity.”