Nish Kankiwala did not walk into John Lewis as a stranger in 2023. He had already spent two years on the Partnership Board, joining in 2021 and seeing the retailer's transformation from inside. In March 2023, that outside-looking-in role changed. He became the company's first chief executive.
John Lewis Partnership had just reported a £78 million loss before tax and exceptional items for 2022/23. The previous year had produced a £181 million profit on the same measure. Inflation had added £179 million to the company's costs, while households were under pressure from higher living expenses.
