Managing Director of John Lewis to step down

The John Lewis Partnership has announced that Managing Director Peter Ruis will step down as Managing Director of the John Lewis retail brand.

Peter Ruis returned to John Lewis in January 2024, after a number of retail leadership roles, having previously been with the retailer for nine years, latterly as Buying and Brand Director. During his tenure he has led a significant modernisation of the brand and reimagined its 100-year Never Knowingly Undersold brand promise. He has also overseen major investment in John Lewis stores, attracted new brands, and driven significant changes to digital platforms.

Non-executive Board member, Will Kernan, will take on the John Lewis MD role as part of an orderly succession plan.

Kernan has held several senior retail leadership positions over a 35-year career, including as CEO of River Island, The White Company, and Wiggle, and held various roles as part of a 13-year stint at New Look, ranging from Group Financial Director to Group Trading Director, COO and Group Managing Director. Most recently, he served as Chairman of high-end furniture and kitchen retailer, Neptune.

Peter Ruis said:

“After nearly three years of significant investment and modernisation, the business is now on a much stronger footing. I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved, and there is so much more still to come. I would like to thank our customers, Partners, brands and suppliers for their incredible support and I wish Will the best of luck as he takes up the reins.”

Will Kernan said:

“Having served on the Partnership’s Board for three years, I have a clear understanding of the John Lewis business and a huge appreciation for the Partnership’s values and employee-ownership model. We have significant headroom for growth and I’m looking forward to leading the team to ensure John Lewis remains the country’s most trusted and loved retailer, in store and online.”

Jason Tarry, Chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, said:

“Peter has done a fantastic job and will be missed by all of our Partners. He’s injected energy and pace into the John Lewis transformation and we are sad to see him go. 

“Will is perfectly placed to take John Lewis on to the next phase of development and growth. I’m pleased that we’ve been able to oversee an orderly succession with Will who knows John Lewis and the team incredibly well from his time on the Partnership’s Board.”

Peter Ruis will remain with the business until 6 September; Will Kernan will take up the Managing Director role in mid-September, to be in place as John Lewis prepares for the peak trading period. 

The Partnership will now undertake a process to appoint a successor as a Non-Executive Director to the Board.