29 March 2024, 15:58
By Furniture News Dec 21, 2020

JLP appoints Rita Clifton CBE as deputy chair

The John Lewis Partnership has announced that Rita Clifton CBE will become its deputy chairman in February.

Rita has significant experience as a non-executive director in a range of consumer-facing sectors, including retail. She currently holds non-executive roles with Nationwide Building Society and Ascential. She stepped down from the board of ASOS earlier this year, having served six years, and has previously held non-executive roles with Dixons Retail, Emap, Bupa and the research firm Populus Group.

Rita has worked with many of the world’s leading companies on their brand strategies during her executive career as vice chairman and strategy director at Saatchi & Saatchi, as London CEO and chairman at global brand consultancy Interbrand, and as co-founder of BrandCap. 

Rita’s not-for-profit board appointments have included WWF (Worldwide Fund for Nature), the UK Sustainable Development Commission, and as a trustee of environmental thinktank Green Alliance. She was recently appointed chair of trustees at sustainability organisation Forum for the Future.

Sharon White, chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, says: “I’m delighted that Rita is joining the partnership as deputy chairman. She brings a wealth of leadership experience across an impressive career. Rita is a perfect fit for the partnership and we’ll benefit greatly from her deep expertise in brand strategy and retail.

“I’m very grateful to Andy Martin, who has done a fantastic job as our interim deputy chairman.”  

Rita says: “Waitrose and John Lewis are two of the country’s most trusted brands, which are loved by customers. I’ve long admired the partnership’s products, purpose and unique approach to doing business. I’m looking forward to joining the board as the partnership enters the next exciting phase in its development.” 

Rita replaces Keith Williams, who stepped down from the partnership board in April. Andy Martin continues as non-executive director of the partnership and chair of the Audit & Risk Committee.  

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