Waitrose managing director James Bailey to step down
The John Lewis Partnership has announced that Waitrose managing director James Bailey has decided to step down later this year.
Having joined Waitrose in 2020, he has been credited with successfully steering the business through the Covid pandemic and the cost of living crisis.
Bailey previously spent 13 years at Sainsbury’s where his last role was buying director – grocery.
Jason Tarry, chairman of the partnership, said: “James has done an outstanding job, overseeing significant transformation and growth during a period of change.
“He’s a great colleague and has been a highly valued member of the executive team.
Subscribe to TRB“We will be sad to see James go but understand and respect his decision to step down after five and a half years at the helm.
“James will leave Waitrose in a much stronger position and I know will be missed by everyone.”
The partnership said it is now working to find Bailey’s successor. In the meantime, Tina Mitchell, Waitrose retail director, will become interim managing director when he leaves the business on 30 September.
Bailey said: “Waitrose is back on a very strong footing with record customer numbers, strong sales growth and a turnaround in profitability so after five and a half years this feels like the right time to hand over the reins.
“I feel confident that we’ve laid the foundations for long term success and have the opportunity now to go from strength to strength”
