Democratic bodies

All Partners have a say in how we run the business and this is set out in our Constitution.
Councillors debate at tables
The Partnership Council has the power to discuss any matter whatsoever

We have a set of councils and committees (described below) that feeds Partners' opinions back to our main democratic body, the Partnership Council, the Partnership Board and the Chairman.

Divisional councils

John Lewis and Waitrose have divisional councils, with at least one elected councillor to represent each branch.

Elections to the councils take place every two years, with Partners voting in constituencies that are decided by the three Trustees of the Constitution. Councillors are elected to represent Partner opinion, but not to act as delegates of their constituents. Their responsibility is to exercise their judgement for the best interests of the Partnership as a whole, not to promote sectional interests.

Freedom of speech is guaranteed.

Branch level democracy

Each John Lewis selling branch has a Branch Forum, the members of which are selected by their fellow Partners to represent them.

Each Waitrose selling branch has a PartnerVoice forum. This is the local avenue for Partner opinion and is the means by which Partners can provide feedback, question management on branch matters, raise their own issues and be consulted.

Similar arrangements apply for the head offices and distribution in each Division, for the production unit, for Leckford and Corporate and the Clubs, taking account of their particular circumstances.

Related

  • Our founder
    John Spedan Lewis remains our inspiration today. Read his story.

  • Our employees
    The Partnership believes there is more to a job than just work and pay.

  • Our Commitments
    John Spedan Lewis gave the Partnership to his employees in 1929 with an ultimate purpose to balance the happiness of Partners with a successful business.