Peter Ruis, the managing director of John Lewis, is set to step down from the department store chain in September. He will be succeeded by Will Kernan, the former boss of high street retailers River Island and The White Company.
Leadership transition at John Lewis
The parent group, John Lewis Partnership, announced that Mr Ruis will step down as managing director of the John Lewis business in September. The company stated that he is leaving the retail chain “to pursue new projects.”
Mr Ruis has led the brand through its major turnaround programme since January 2024, having rejoined the group where he had earlier been a buying director. He also led the reintroduction of the brand’s Never Knowingly Undersold price promise and has overseen the start of an £800 million store investment plan.
New leadership ahead of peak trading
His replacement, Mr Kernan, currently sits on the John Lewis Partnership board as a non-executive director. He will take up the managing director role in “mid-September,” ahead of the peak trading period in the run-up to Christmas.
Mr Kernan will be tasked with helping John Lewis Partnership chairman Jason Tarry with returning the group to profit despite a challenging consumer backdrop.
Mr 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.”
Mr 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.”
