John Lewis Partnership veteran Bérangère Michel heads for the exit

Michel, executive director for finance at the group, is expected to step down by the autumn after deciding “to pursue her future career options outside of the partnership”.

She leaves at a time of change at the John Lewis Partnership, which has been pursuing turnaround efforts but has sometimes been embroiled in controversy over the strategy of chair Dame Sharon White, who is also leaving and will be succeeded by former Tesco UK boss Jason Tarry. 

Michel has played a pivotal role in securing John Lewis’ finances during a turbulent time, and before that held top positions across retail, supply chain and customer operations at John Lewis and Waitrose.

She said: “After 16 fantastic years in the partnership, and with the business on a strong financial footing with funding secured for the next phase of the plan, it feels like the right time to move on. So I have decided to leave to pursue other opportunities.

“I have loved every moment of my time in both Waitrose and John Lewis and am extremely grateful for a varied, exciting and impactful career. I would especially like to thank partners for making the partnership a truly special place. I will continue rooting for the partnership, its great customer service and co-ownership model.”

White said: “Bey embodies everything that is special about the partnership and has been a fervent champion for our ownership model, democracy and values. She will leave the partnership in a much stronger financial position, overseeing a return to profit, record investment planned for this year and debt at historic lows. Bey has our very best wishes as she seeks her next challenge.” 

The retailer has begun the process of finding a successor to Michel.