FTSE 100 retailer J Sainsbury has appointed one of its own in-house lawyers as head of legal services despite conducting a lengthy recruitment process.

The supermarket giant has confirmed that Nick Grant will replace David Thurston, the veteran head of legal who retired in May last year after 18 years with the company. Grant has been with Sainsbury's for seven years, during which time he rose to deputy head of legal. He has also been acting head of legal since Thurston's departure.

Grant commented: "I am thrilled to take up this position and to have the chance to lead a great team of lawyers as they play their part in bringing success back to Sainsbury's."

Under Thurston, Sainsbury's 21-strong in-house legal department was split into three specialist groups – advisory, operations and property – following a review of the group's in-house function in 2004. Before that the department had been structured according to the expertise of each lawyer.

Sainsbury's primary adviser is Linklaters, although it instructs a number of other firms including Addleshaw Goddard, Denton Wilde Sapte and Dickinson Dees.

The retailer employs around 153,000 people and had total sales last year of £16.36bn.