// John Lewis Partnership has appointed Nish Kankiwala as its first chief executive
// Kankiwala will support chairwoman Dame Sharon White with the day-to-day running of the group
John Lewis Partnership has appointed Nish Kankiwala as its first chief executive as the group looks to “supercharge” its transformation.
The former Hovis boss will step into the newly created role on 27 March to support chairwoman Dame Sharon White with the day-to-day running of the group.
Kankiwala has been a non-executive director of the Partnership since 2021 and will remain a member of the board in his new role.
The appointment comes as the retail giant continues its ambitious transformation plan which has seen the John Lewis Partnership expand into new areas such as rental properties.
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Under the new structure, the Partnership’s executive directors will report to the chief executive while the chief executive will report to the chairwoman.
Last month, the group parted ways with former John Lewis executive director Pippa Wicks who stepped down from her role after three years.
White said: “I’m delighted that Nish is to be chief executive. Since joining the board in 2021, Nish has developed a deep understanding and appreciation of the Partnership model and has provided counsel on our transformation.
“He will be able to supercharge this in his new role while protecting the Partnership’s ethos. Nish and I will work closely to ensure the Partnership thrives for another century.
“The new structure allows me to focus on the preservation of the Partnership model and our distinctive character, on the strategy for the Partnership and our big commercial choices.
She said Kankiwala’s significant transformation experience will help to drive performance and profitability day to day.
Kankiwala said: “It’s a great privilege to be appointed as chief executive following two rewarding years on the Partnership’s Board as a non-executive director.
“I am looking forward to playing an even fuller part in the transformation of the Partnership, to be a modern business loved by customers and treasured by our partners.”
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