Waitrose owner John Lewis partnership is considering a part-time chairman role to replace Dame Sharon White, after it was revealed yesterday that she plans to step down.
The potential move to a part-time position comes after White hired the partnership’s first chief executive, Nish Kankiwala, earlier this year.
White is due to stand down by February 2025 – the end of her five-year term – however, she may stand down before that date if a replacement is found earlier, according to The Telegraph.
In contrast to her five-year term, Dame Sharon White’s predecessor Sir Charlie Mayfield held the chairman role for 13 years. The longest term held by a John Lewis chairman is 26 years.
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White has had a difficult tenure that has seen the partnership experience heavy losses of £234m this year, and staff bonuses cancelled in two out of the last three years.
During her reign, she shut 16 department stores, made major job cuts in head office and has been exploring a sale and leaseback of a dozen Waitrose stores.
Announcing her departure to staff in an internal video message on Monday, White said: “When I joined almost four years ago, I agreed a five-year term with the board and time has really flown.
“It’s really important for the partnership that there is a really good process, that the partnership gets the best possible replacement for me.”
It is understood that White does not have another job lined up.
1 Comment. Leave new
How long will partnership be? I will send it for 30 years as a partner, but now it looks like I just want to sell everything off and how long works for you to be a partnership