John Lewis chair White to stand down

Her departure would come after a turbulent period for the retailer, which owns grocer Waitrose as well as the John Lewis chain of department stores, and for White, who has drawn controversy for considering changes to the company’s unique partnership model.

White’s departure was first reported by the BBC, which said her current five-year term ends in 2025 and she has told the board she will not seek a second one.

It is understood she has chosen to leave now because she thinks the worst of the cost-of-living crisis is over. However, it is unusual for a John Lewis chair to leave after one term.

White has had to steer John Lewis through a tumultuous period. As she sought to transform the business, she also had to contend with the impact of the pandemic and sky-rocketing inflation, which added to the cost of doing business as well as squeezing consumers’ spending power.

Her strategy included building new businesses in fields such as housing rental and financial services, rather than being reliant on traditional retail. 

Last month, the Partnership reported that the delivery of its transformation would be delayed. Earlier this year, White drew criticism when it was reported that the business might bring in external investors, which many saw as a threat to its employee-owned model.

John Lewis said White “has today asked the Partnership board to initiate the process to appoint a successor as she enters the latter stages of her five-year term”.

She has also asked the board to review the accountabilities of the role “to ensure that these continue to support the successful transformation of the business”.

John Lewis Partnership deputy chair and chair of the nominations board Rita Clifton will oversee the appointment process. An appointment must ultimately be approved by the Partnership board.

White said: “The chairman of the John Lewis Partnership is a special and unique role in UK business. The chairman is responsible for the long-term health of the Partnership’s model – commercial success twinned with a commitment to first-rate customer service and action in our communities.

“Having led the Partnership through the pandemic and the worst of the cost-of-living crisis, it is important that there is now a smooth and orderly succession process and handover.

“The Partnership is making progress in its modernisation and transformation with improving results. There is a long road ahead and I am committed to handing on the strongest possible Partnership to my successor.”