The John Lewis Partnership has announced its chairman, Sir Charlie Mayfield, will step down in 2020.

In an announcement this morning (7 November), the group said it has begun the search for a successor and will name the new chairman in the second half of 2019.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

The process for selecting a new chairman, John Lewis says, has been extensively modernised and will be overseen by a Nominations Committee, comprising of two elected directors, two independent non-executive directors and the chairman himself. The Committee is chaired by deputy chairman Keith Williams and supported by independent recruitment consultants, who will be considering both internal and external candidates.

Sir Mayfield is the Partnership’s fifth chairman in the retail group’s nearly 100-year history.

“Although my departure is still a considerable way off, the appointment of my successor is a key responsibility,” he said. “It is for this reason I have decided to lay out the timetable now to enable an open and thorough process to select the next chairman of the Partnership.”

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Just Style Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Just Style Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact

Excellence in Action
From bio-based durable water repellents to 90–95% wastewater recovery, Archroma’s dual win in the 2025 Just Style Excellence Awards highlights its sustainability-first approach. Find out how PHOBOTEX® NTR-50 and the Mahachai ZLD project are helping apparel and textile players meet tightening global regulations.

Discover the Impact