Press releases
Retail Director, Gareth Thomas, takes early retirement
Wednesday 6 January 2010
After 30 years in the John Lewis Partnership, the recent 10 of those as a member of the John Lewis Management Board, Retail Director, Gareth Thomas, has decided to leave John Lewis and take early retirement from the John Lewis Partnership.
His decision to take a break from full time working means that he will be able to spend more time with his family and to pursue his outside interests including his work with Save The Children, a charity whose cause is close to his heart.
John Lewis Managing Director, Andy Street, says, 'We are all hugely saddened by Gareth's decision but wish him every success and happiness in the future. We will miss his leadership and insight enormously and value the strong legacy he leaves behind him.'
Notes to editors
The John Lewis Partnership - The John Lewis Partnership operates 29 John Lewis shops across the UK (28 department stores and one John Lewis at home), johnlewis.com, 222 Waitrose supermarkets and Greenbee.com, a direct services company. The business has an annual turnover of over £6.9bn. It is the UK's largest example of worker co-ownership where all 69,000 staff are Partners in the business.
John Lewis - John Lewis, 'Britain's favourite retailer 2008'* and 'Multiple Department Store of the Year 2009' *** typically stocks more than 350,000 separate lines in its department stores. The website stocks over 100,000 lines focused on the best of fashion, beauty, home and giftware and electrical items including online exclusives. johnlewis.com is consistently ranked one of the top online shopping destinations in the UK. (www.johnlewis.com)
* Verdict consumer satisfaction index, January 2009
*** The Drapers Awards for fashion retail, October 2009
Waitrose - Waitrose, voted 'Britain's favourite supermarket' in three independent surveys so far this year† combines the convenience of a supermarket with the expertise and service of a specialist shop. It offers fresh and frozen foods, wines and groceries as well as delicatessen, cheese, fresh fish, meat, patisserie and hot-food counters. Waitrose is dedicated to offering quality food that has been responsibly sourced combined with high standards of customer service. (www.waitrose.com)
† Which? Survey, January 2009; BBC Watchdog viewer survey, February 2009; Good Housekeeping Awards, February 2009
Greenbee.com - Greenbee.com offers a range of financial, travel and leisure services selected by the John Lewis Partnership. These include home, travel, pet, wedding and event and car insurance products, life cover and a phone and broadband package, along with travel offers and the latest theatre, event, music and sport tickets. (www.greenbee.com)
Enquiries
For further information, please contact:
Louise Cooper
Senior Manager, Corporate & Branch PR
John Lewis
Direct Line: 020 7592 6223
Mobile: 07808 574117
back to top
Go to the Press releases