The head of John Lewis is to leave the business in order to become the Tory party candidate for the Mayor of the West Midlands.

Andy Street, who has been with the company 30 years, nine of which he has spent at the head of the company, will go up against Siôn Simon, MEP for the West Midlands and a former MP for Birmingham Erdington.

Sir Charlie Mayfield, chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, said: “Andy has led John Lewis brilliantly and leaves the brand with great momentum for the future. I would like to thank him for his passionate contribution to the Partnership.”

Andy Street said: “It has been a privilege to lead John Lewis through a transformational period in the retail industry, and I am confident that we have built a business which will continue to thrive while being loyal to its principles.

'The success of John Lewis is down to the hard work and dedication of thousands of Partners across the country, and I know that they will continue to serve our customers with distinction.”