Dame Sharon White to Depart as John Lewis Partnership Chair in 2025
Dame Sharon White, the Chair of the renowned British retailer John Lewis Partnership, has revealed her intention to step down next year at the conclusion of her five-year term.
This development, reported by the BBC, marks a significant change in leadership at the helm of the country’s largest department store chain, which also operates Waitrose supermarkets.
End of an Era: Shortest-Serving Chair in 100 Years
When Dame Sharon White departs in February 2025, she will become the shortest-serving chair in the partnership’s century-long history.
Her tenure, which began in 2020, has been characterized by a substantial overhaul of the business, including the closure of numerous stores and a strategic shift into new areas such as rental accommodation.
Succession Plans and Delayed Turnaround
John Lewis Partnership (JLP) confirmed that White has informed the partnership board of her decision not to seek a second term.
As part of her departure plans, she has requested the initiation of the process to appoint her successor at the end of her five-year role.
This employee-owned company recently announced a two-year extension to its turnaround plan, citing additional costs, after reporting another financial loss in the most recent six months.
Financial Challenges and Cost Reduction Targets
The troubled partnership faced another setback with a reported loss of £59 million in the first half of this year.
Dame Sharon White had set ambitious cost-cutting goals, aiming to reduce £900 million in expenses by January 2026.
Her initial pledge to achieve an annual profit of £400 million by 2026 has been postponed to 2028, according to the Telegraph. MailOnline has reached out to John Lewis for their response to this news.
Breaking News
This story is developing, and further updates are expected to follow as the situation evolves.
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