Sharon White
This coverage tracks Sharon White’s leadership and influence within the UK retail sector, with a focus on her tenure at the John Lewis Partnership. Reporting includes strategic decisions, organisational changes, financial performance, workforce initiatives, and public statements that have shaped the retailer’s direction. The analysis supports retail executives, managers, and professionals seeking to understand the impact of her leadership on operations, employee relations, and market positioning.
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Jun- 2023 -12 JuneAnalysis
Can the John Lewis Partnership reach its goals?
Last week the chair of the John Lewis Partnership Sharon White made a commitment to return the company to profitability by 2026 in a speech to the Employee Ownership Association. This promise comes just three years after White started a five year plan at the company which amongst other things…
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8 JuneHigh Street
John Lewis chair pledges return to profit before 2026
Sharon White, chair of the John Lewis Partnership, has promised that the company will return to profit before 2026, in a speech to the Employee Ownership Association. After three consecutive years of posting losses White stated that the five-year plan started in 2021 would “get the partnership back to sustainable…
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May- 2023 -17 MayClothing & Shoes
John Lewis offers paid leave to foster carers
The John Lewis Partnership has announced that it will offer additional paid leave to all new foster carers within its businesses (John Lewis and Waitrose) – furthering its commitment to support care experienced people. The retailer stated that it has become the “largest” organisation to receive Fostering Friendly accreditation via…
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10 MayDepartment Stores
John Lewis chair receives council backing despite disapproval on performance
John Lewis chair Dame Sharon White has been backed by the John Lewis council on whether they have confidence in her leadership moving forward, despite them voicing their disapproval over her decisions in the past year. According to reports, White faced two votes on her leadership at the John Leadership…
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9 MayDepartment Stores
John Lewis council to vote on chair’s strategy
John Lewis Partnership employees will reportedly be given the opportunity to vote on chair Sharon White’s leadership this week, The Times has reported. The news comes as the 9-10 May will see 60 employee representatives decide on the chairwoman’s current strategy during a council meeting, which will include two votes…
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3 MayPeople Moves
John Lewis Partnership appoints new audit and risk committee chair
The John Lewis Partnership has appointed Nicky Dulieu to its board, where she will become chair of the audit and risk committee as well as a non-executive director. Joining with immediate effect, Dulieu succeeds Andy Martin, who has stepped down from the role after five years with the group. She…
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2 MayDepartment Stores
John Lewis to downsize head office in cost-cutting efforts
John Lewis is looking to halve its office space in an effort to cut costs through a loose hybrid working approach, as the company is now hunting for an office of 100,000 sq ft compared with its current 220,000 sq ft space, The Times has reported. The partnership, which also…
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Apr- 2023 -3 AprilAnalysis
The current discourse surrounding John Lewis
Recent news of John Lewis’ plan to shake up its partnership model, which sees that staff are treated as shareholders, has received a number of very passionate responses. Andy Street, who was the John Lewis managing director from 2007 to 2016, went on record to say that, should the employee-owned…
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Mar- 2023 -27 MarchNews
Changing ownership model would be ‘tragedy’, says ex-John Lewis boss
Ex-John Lewis boss Andy Street said on Sunday that it would be a “tragedy” if the retailer changed its ownership model. Speaking on BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Street said he would not think changing the model would be a good idea because “John Lewis goes beyond a shop”. It…
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23 MarchDepartment Stores
Ownership of business will ‘remain a constant’, says John Lewis chair
John Lewis chairwoman Sharon White has assured that employees’ ownership of the John Lewis Partnership will “remain a constant”, following reports that the group was considering selling a minority ownership stake. It comes as reports emerged earlier this week that the employee-owned group could dilute its 100% staff ownership structure…
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