John Lewis and Waitrose appoints Nick Kankiwala as first group CEO
Nish Kankiwala has been appointed as the Chief Executive for John Lewis Partnership (JLP).
Kankiwala has been a non-executive director since April 2021. He was previously CEO at bread-maker Hovis Ltd. and held a senior role at Burger King Corp., spearheading both companies’ turnaround efforts. He also spent a decade at PepsiCo Inc. where he was president of its drinks business in Europe and Africa.
The former Hovis boss will take on the newly created role, to support chairwoman Dame Sharon White with the day-to-day running of the retail giant.
JLP parted ways with previous John Lewis executive director Pippa Wicks last month.
The changes come as the group continues an ambitious transformation plan which has seen JLP expand into new areas such as rental properties and shut a number of department stores.
Dame Sharon said: “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 Kankiwala said: “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.”
