// John Lewis Partnership poaches Virgin Atlantic’s Nikki Humphrey for people exec director role
// At the airline, she is is chief people officer
// She will develop & deliver a people strategy for John Lewis Partnership’s 80,000 staff
John Lewis Partnership has raided the senior ranks of Virgin Atlantic to poach Nikki Humphrey for the role of people executive director.
Humphrey, who is currently chief people officer at the airline, will replace Tracey Killen who has retired after a 38 year career with the parent company of John Lewis and Waitrose.
Starting on October 1, Humphrey will be responsible for developing and delivering a people strategy for the retail group’s 80,000 staff.
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This new appointment forms part of a seven-strong executive team and follows James Bailey joining as Waitrose executive director in April and Pippa Wicks becoming John Lewis executive director.
The news also comes after the John Lewis Partnership kicked off a consultation process with 1300 staff, after confirming that eight John Lewis stores would not reopen from lockdown and would shut down permanently.
“This appointment comes at a time where we are working hard to develop our people strategy,” partnership chair Sharon White said.
“Nikki’s impressive experience will help ensure the partnership continues to be a great place to work for current and future partners, that both rewards and develops partners, provides exceptional health and wellbeing support and improves our diversity and inclusion strategy, truly reflecting the communities we serve.”
Humphrey said: “I’m very excited to be joining the partnership at this time. It’s a huge privilege to lead the People team and the people strategy for the 80,000 partners.
“I’m really looking forward to working together with partners, to shape the future and continue to provide the wonderful experience that is so valued by customers.”
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