- Jason Tarry is the former chief executive of Tesco UK and Ireland
- He replaces Sharon White in September after a difficult few years
- Tarry is tasked with leading the retail giant’s turnaround plans
Jason Tarry will join as chair in September
John Lewis Partnership has appointed the former chief executive of Tesco UK and Ireland as its next chair, replacing Sharon White when she steps down later this year.
Jason Tarry, a 33-year Tesco veteran who first joined the retailer as part of its graduate programme in 1990, will be tasked with leading the partnership’s turnaround as it attempts to slash costs and revive lacklustre sales.
Tarry said on Monday he would bring a ‘sharp focus on being brilliant retailers for customers and investing in growth’ when he joins in September.
John Lewis, which is owned by its 70,000-strong workforce, is expected to cut 11,000 jobs over the next five years in a bid to save £900million, having already made cuts of £88million over the past financial year.
John Lewis returned to a pre-tax profit of £56million in 2023, bouncing back from a £234million loss in 2022 amid three consecutive years of losses.
Sharon White steps down after five years in the job
Outgoing chair White stands down after a difficult five years, having endured the impact of the pandemic, the cost of living crisis and disappointment over the Waitrose owner’s decision to withhold its customary annual staff bonuses.
She told staff in a video message earlier this year to prepare for ‘quite big changes and quite bold changes’.
White said on Monday that Tarry brings with him a ‘combination of fantastic retail experience with leadership through transformation’.
She added: ‘We’ve built the foundations for a stronger Partnership and I’m confident that Jason will take it from strength to strength.’
Rita Clifton, deputy chairman and chair of John Lewis’ nomination committee, said: ‘As the Partnership moves into the next phase of its modernisation focused on our core retail business as well future growth, we are confident that Jason will provide the kind of inspirational leadership, a proven track record in multi-channel, multi-category retail success and a strong identification with Partnership values that we are seeking in this role’.
