What: John Lewis Partnership appoints Helen Webb as chief people officer, bringing extensive HR leadership experience from major UK retailers.

Why it is important: The move underscores the importance of people strategy and partner engagement in sustaining John Lewis’s unique ownership model.

John Lewis Partnership has named Helen Webb as its new chief people officer, effective 24 November, marking a significant leadership transition for the retailer. Webb brings a wealth of HR experience from her previous roles at Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s, Co-op, and most recently as chief people officer at WH Smith. She succeeds Jo Rackham, who served as interim chief people officer for the past 18 months. Chairman Jason Tarry emphasised Webb’s role in shaping the partnership’s people strategy and nurturing its distinctive partner culture, which is central to the company’s employee-owned model. Webb expressed her commitment to fostering an environment where employees can thrive and feel a sense of belonging. This appointment comes as John Lewis prepares to recruit a record 13,700 temporary staff for the upcoming golden quarter, highlighting the ongoing importance of talent management and engagement. The move signals John Lewis’s continued investment in its people and its commitment to maintaining a strong, values-driven workplace culture.

IADS Notes: Helen Webb’s appointment as chief people officer at John Lewis Partnership reflects a broader trend of leadership transitions in retail, as seen in October 2024 with CEO changes at major retailers (Retail Gazette) and the January 2025 focus on trusted, experienced executives to restore confidence (Fortune). Her extensive HR background aligns with the sector’s emphasis on integrating diverse experience for strategic renewal, as demonstrated by recent hires at John Lewis and M&S in June and September 2025 (Drapers; Retail Week). The significance of HR leadership is further highlighted by Lotte Department Store’s transformation in August 2025 (The Chosun Daily) and the industry-wide move toward value-driven employment practices in May 2025 (The Retail Bulletin). John Lewis’s employee ownership model continues to set a benchmark for engagement and performance, a point reinforced by The Entertainer’s adoption of a similar structure in September 2025 (Retail Week) and ongoing discussions about trust and values in retail.

John Lewis names new chief people officer