// John Lewis property boss Chris Harris quit the business last week
// He is leaving to pursue his own property investment company
John Lewis property and development director Chris Harris is to step down from his role after five years.
The architect of the Partnership’s rental housing venture will stay until November before pursing his own investment company to take advantage of the weak retail property market, The Times reported.
He is understood to have already received several approaches from potential private equity backers.
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Harris joined the Partnership in 2018 and was responsible for the £500m deal with investment company Abrdn to build 1,000 rental homes as part of chair Sharon White’s diversification strategy.
He also managed the closure of 16 John Lewis stores and the 10% reduction of the Waitrose estate.
Harris’ departure is the latest blow to the Partnership executive team under the tenure of chairwoman Sharon White.
John Lewis boss Pippa Wicks stepped down in February after less than three years while chief operating officer Andrew Murphy is to leave the business this summer.
Last week, White pledged to return the retailer to “sustainable” profit before 2026 after facing scrutiny when it posted its third year of consecutive losses.
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