Will Kernan to Replace Peter Ruis as John Lewis Director

Managing director Peter Ruis is stepping down from John Lewis after less than three years in the role to pursue new projects. He will be succeeded in mid-September by Will Kernan, a current non-executive board member of the John Lewis Partnership and former executive at River Island and The White Company.

Ruis oversaw an 800 million pound store investment plan and the reintroduction of the Never Knowingly Undersold price promise during his tenure. The leadership transition occurs as the retailer faces difficult trading conditions and inflation driven by soaring oil prices linked to the US-Israeli war on Iran.

Incoming managing director Will Kernan will lead the company into its peak Christmas trading period. Meanwhile, Chairman Jason Tarry is focusing on returning the group to profit while adjusting for an immediate future that the company did not expect six months ago.