Nish Kankiwala will move from CEO to a non-executive role at John Lewis Partnership.
- Kankiwala’s transition supports a smooth handover to chair Jason Tarry.
- The CEO position will be dissolved, with Tarry leading the executive team.
- The move follows significant transformation and strategy refresh within the partnership.
- Kankiwala emphasised strong cash flow and return to profitability during his tenure.
Nish Kankiwala, the Chief Executive Officer of John Lewis Partnership, will transition back to a non-executive role by March 2025. This decision aligns with a strategic move to support smooth leadership changes within the organisation, particularly as Jason Tarry, the incoming chair, prepares to lead both the executive team and the partnership board. His leadership will be pivotal in integrating the executive roles following the dissolution of the CEO position.
According to a statement from the John Lewis Partnership, this change is a reflection of the substantial progress made during Kankiwala’s tenure, especially over the last two years. During this period, significant strides were achieved in reshaping the business model and steering the transformation initiatives, which have been crucial for the partnership’s objectives.
Kankiwala expressed his satisfaction with the advancements made since he assumed the CEO role in March 2023. He noted his initial appointment was essential for accelerating the pivotal transformation phase of the company. His efforts have resulted in the rejuvenation of the partnership strategy, focusing sharply on retail, enhancing cash flow, and returning the partnership to profitability for the full year.
In his outgoing remarks, Kankiwala stated, “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.” This acknowledgment highlights the collective effort and commitment from the team.
Jason Tarry has notably praised Kankiwala for his instrumental role in driving the partnership’s transformation. Tarry remarked, “I would like to thank Nish for the pivotal role he has played for the partnership, first as a non-executive director of the board and recently as CEO.” Tarry’s appreciation underscores the value of Kankiwala’s initiatives and his agreement to continue as a non-executive board advisor, providing continued support which is expected to be invaluable for the partnership.
Kankiwala’s transition from CEO to non-executive advisor marks a strategic evolution for John Lewis Partnership, ensuring continued transformation and profitability.
