// John Lewis executive director Pippa Wicks’ sudden departure came after a culture clash at the company
// Wicks’ management style clashed with the company’s turnaround expert and her paternalistic employer
John Lewis’ executive director Pippa Wicks’ sudden departure came after tensions over a culture clash at the company.
Wicks’ management style clashed with the company’s turnaround expert and her paternalistic employer – which was the main reason behind her exit last week, The Sunday Times reported.
At John Lewis she led initiatives such as the launch of the Anyday value range, and it’s ‘for all life’s moments’ rebrand. Wicks departs as she approaches three years in her role.
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She is to be replaced with immediate effect on an interim basis by Naomi Simcock, John Lewis’ retail director.
Wicks said that she was appointed after meeting the partnership’s chairwoman, Sharon White, at a dinner party.
The pair had met for a coffee and a 45-minute chat before White tasked Wicks with the responsibility of turning the department store chain around.
In her time running John Lewis, Wicks closed 16 department stores and introduced the Anyday budget range.
White said last week that Wicks had been “instrumental in reinvigorating the brand”.
