John Lewis’s next chairman could be part-time after outgoing chair Dame Sharon White asked the partnership to consider changes to the role.
According to the Telegraph, it comes amid speculation that candidates could be put off by the high-profile nature of the position, with White facing much scrutiny during her tenure at the retail stalwart.
Since she outlined her transformation plan back in 2020, she has had a global pandemic and a cost-of-living crisis to deal with, while just last month, White revealed her five-year turnaround plan would be delayed by two years.
Changes to the role could include considering whether the chairman needs to be a full-time position, following the group’s hiring its first chief executive earlier this year.
Back in March John Lewis hired turnaround expert Nish Kankiwala with his remit to handle more of the day-to-day management of the business.
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On Monday White told the board that she will not seek a second term as chairman of the partnership, which also owns Waitrose – making her the shortest-serving chair in the partnership’s history.
She could stand down before that date if a replacement is found earlier, although White is expecting the process to be drawn out.
Earlier this year, White managed to narrowly survive a confidence vote when the partnership council, made up of more than 60 partners, said it did not have confidence in the business’ performance under White’s leadership but backed her future strategy.
READ MORE: Sharon White stands down: What next for ‘battered and bruised’ John Lewis?
The partnership reported a loss of £234m last year, and although losses narrowed in its recent half-year results, it was still in the red to the tune of around £60m.
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