// John Lewis Partnership says Rita Clifton will become its next deputy chair
// She replaces Keith Williams who stepped down in April after six years
// The partnership board is a mix of 3 external appointments, 2 executive team members & 3 staff elected by colleagues
The John Lewis Partnership has announced the appointment of Rita Clifton as its next deputy chair.
Clifton, who will join the partnership board in February, will replace Keith Williams who stepped down from the board in April after six years.
Clifton has significant experience as a non-executive director in a range of consumer facing sectors, including retail.
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She currently holds non-executive roles with Nationwide Building Society and Ascential.
She stepped down from the board of Asos earlier this year, having served six years, and has previously held non-executive roles with Dixons Retail, Emap, Bupa and the research firm Populus Group.
Clifton career highlights includes working with companies on their brand strategies as vice chairman and strategy director at Saatchi & Saatchi, as London chief executive and chair at the global brand consultancy Interbrand, and as co-founder of BrandCap.
She has also held not-for-profit board appointments with WWF, the UK Sustainable Development Commission, and as trustee of the environmental think tank Green Alliance.
She was recently appointed chair of trustees at the leading sustainability organisation Forum for the Future.
John Lewis Partnership chair Sharon White said: “I’m delighted that Rita is joining the partnership as deputy chairman.
“She brings a wealth of leadership experience across an impressive career. Rita is a perfect fit for the partnership and we’ll benefit greatly from her deep expertise in brand strategy and retail.
“I’m very grateful to Andy Martin who has done a fantastic job as our interim Deputy Chairman.”
Clifton said: “Waitrose and John Lewis are two of the country’s most trusted brands, which are loved by customers.
“I’ve long admired the partnership’s products, purpose and unique approach to doing business.
“I’m looking forward to joining the Board as the Partnership enters the next exciting phase in its development.”
Alongside Clifton’s appointment, John Lewis Partnership confirmed that Andy Martin would continue as a non-executive director and chair of the audit and risk committee.
The partnership board is a mix of three external appointments, two members of its executive team and three staff members from across our business who were nominated and voted by their colleagues to become elected directors.
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