John Lewis Partnership CEO Nish Kankiwala will transition to a non-executive role by March 2025, supporting a smooth leadership transition.
- Kankiwala originally stepped into the CEO role from a non-executive position in March 2023.
- Jason Tarry, currently chair, will oversee both the executive team and the partnership board.
- This transition marks significant progress in John Lewis’s transformation and operating model overhaul.
- Kankiwala expressed pride in the achievements during his tenure, highlighting improved cash flows and profitability.
Nish Kankiwala, who assumed the position of John Lewis Partnership CEO in March 2023, will transition back to a non-executive role by March 2025. This change aims to support chair Jason Tarry with a seamless transition as Tarry takes charge of both the executive team and the partnership board. The decision was announced by the John Lewis Partnership, emphasising the significant progress made in transforming the business model.
Kankiwala was initially appointed as CEO from his previous role as a non-executive director at a crucial time for the partnership. His leadership period coincided with accelerated transformation efforts. He expressed his satisfaction, saying he was ‘delighted to agree to take on the role for a two-year period during this time of pivotal change’.
During his tenure, the company’s strategy was refreshed to strengthen its core retail capabilities, resulting in significantly improved cash flows. This financial stability enabled record investments geared towards growth and allowed the partnership to return to full-year profitability. Kankiwala remarked, ‘It’s been the privilege of my life to lead the partnership as CEO during this period of intense transformation. I am hugely proud of what we’ve achieved so far – thanks to the hard work and dedication of our partners.’
Jason Tarry, the current chair, acknowledged Kankiwala’s pivotal role. Tarry stated, ‘I would like to thank Nish for the pivotal role he has played for the partnership, first as non-executive director of the board and recently as CEO. In the past two years, he has been instrumental in accelerating the transformation of the partnership.’ The continuation of Kankiwala’s support in a non-executive advisory capacity is viewed as invaluable.
The transition of leadership reflects the significant advancements in John Lewis’s transformation and its new operating model. As the partnership progresses into its next phase, the roles and responsibilities of its senior leadership are evolving to meet future challenges and opportunities.
The leadership changes at John Lewis signify completed transformative efforts and a vision for sustainable growth.
