The John Lewis Partnership has appointed its first chief executive, Nish Kankiwala.
Nish has been a non-executive director of the partnership since April 2021, is a former chief executive of Hovis, and has held senior roles at Burger King and PepsiCo.
He will take up the new role on 27th March, and remains a member of the partnership board.
Chairman Sharon White says: “I’m delighted that Nish is to be chief executive. Since joining the board in 2021, Nish has developed a deep understanding and appreciation of the partnership model and has provided counsel on our transformation. He will be able to supercharge this in his new role while protecting the partnership’s ethos.
“Nish and I will work closely to ensure the partnership thrives for another century. The new structure allows me to focus on the preservation of the partnership model and our distinctive character, on the strategy for the partnership and our big commercial choices. Nish will draw on his significant transformation experience to drive performance and profitability day to day.”
Nish comments: “It’s a great privilege to be appointed as chief executive following two rewarding years on the partnership’s board as a non-executive director. I am looking forward to playing an even fuller part in the transformation of the partnership, to be a modern business loved by customers and treasured by our partners.”
