Nish Kankiwala, CEO of John Lewis Partnership, will step down to a non-executive role in March 2025.
- Kankiwala’s transition supports new chairman Jason Tarry, who took over from Dame Sharon White.
- Initially, Kankiwala moved from a non-executive to the CEO role to aid significant transformations.
- Under his leadership, the company reduced pre-tax losses from £59m to £30m.
- The Partnership is expected to deliver a significantly improved full-year profit.
Nish Kankiwala, who has been serving as the Chief Executive Officer of John Lewis Partnership, is set to revert to his former role as a non-executive board member by March 2025. This strategic shift is intended to bolster the leadership of newly appointed Chairman Jason Tarry, who assumed the position following Dame Sharon White.
Kankiwala was originally asked by the board to transition from his non-executive position to CEO in March 2023. This move was designed to facilitate the Partnership’s substantial transformation phase. His leadership has focused on reshaping business strategies and enhancing operational efficiencies.
The outcomes of Kankiwala’s tenure as CEO have been tangible and noteworthy. The John Lewis Partnership, which also owns Waitrose, witnessed a significant reduction in its pre-tax losses, cutting them down from £59 million to £30 million in the half-year leading up to 27 July. This financial improvement positions the company to potentially achieve a much stronger profit by the end of the fiscal year.
In his statement, Kankiwala expressed his privilege at leading the company through this transformative period. He acknowledged the efforts of the partners and expressed confidence in the future under Tarry’s leadership. He stated, “I was delighted to agree to take on the role for a two-year period during this time of pivotal change. It’s been the privilege of my life to lead the Partnership as CEO during this period of intense transformation.”
Jason Tarry, the incoming chairman, commended Kankiwala’s contributions, highlighting his instrumental role in accelerating the Partnership’s transformation. Tarry expressed gratitude for Kankiwala’s continued advisory role on the board, emphasising the value of his ongoing support.
The John Lewis Partnership anticipates continued growth and transformation with new leadership under Jason Tarry.
