// John Lewis chair Sharon White narrowly survives confidence vote
// The council said it did not have confidence in the Partnership’s performance but backed her future strategy
John Lewis chair Sharon White has suffered a major blow after narrowly winning support from staff in a confidence vote on Wednesday.
The council, made up of more than 60 partners, said it did not have confidence in the Partnership’s performance under White’s leadership but backed her future strategy.
The vote comes amid concerns of the Partnership’s future after its annual losses ballooned to £234m and reports that White was looking to sell a minority stake in the business to raise funds.
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Speaking at a biannual staff meeting at the company’s Odney Club holiday retreat in Berkshire, White vowed that the retailer will “always be employee-owned” and said it would emerge stronger.
President of the council Chris Earnshaw said: “The council voted in support of the chairman to progress the partnership in relation to its purpose, principles and rules.
“The council did not support last year’s performance, in which we reported a full year loss and no partner bonus.”
He added the meeting was “central to how we exercise our democratic principles and ownership of the business”.
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8 Comments. Leave new
This is what happens when you place a token person in charge of business who has little or no experience. John Lewis is doomed under White.
Stop with the lie its NOT partner owned ask all the partners what they received as compensation for their 1 share in the business when Waitrose either closed their store or moved them to 3rd party logistics companies the answer is a big fat zero
If they didn’t have confidence in their vote for Sharon White then she should of been voted out.
It shouldn’t of been left to just the minority council it should of been voted with the majority of partners . After all its their business too, but never have their say ot just ignored and the council carries on doing what they think is best when it’s Been a disaster
Wombles? Explain? Wobbles clean the place up and keep it tidy. How does this relate to JLP Councillors?
Wombles was being kind.
Other more appropriate descriptions were cancelled as being too graphic.
Imagine having the chance to rid yourselves of a useless non retailer but failing to take the opportunity.
You had the chance to stop your downfall but failed. You must all be chuffed with yourselves.
A council of wombles, seemingly.
‘change’ is difficult, even for wombles!
What was the voting breakdown? Did all 60 vote?