John Lewis Managing Director Peter Ruis to Step Down in September, Will Kernan Named Successor

Peter Ruis, managing director of British department store John Lewis, is set to step down from his role, parent company John Lewis Partnership announced on August 10.

Ruis will remain with the business until September 6, with Will Kernan, currently a non-executive director of John Lewis Partnership, taking over as managing director in mid-September.

Ruis returned to John Lewis in January 2024, meaning the leadership change comes approximately two years and eight months after he rejoined the retailer. The company said Ruis had decided to leave to “pursue new projects,” describing Kernan’s appointment as part of an orderly succession process.

Summary

Nearly Three Years of Brand Modernization

This marks Ruis’s second period at John Lewis.

He previously worked at the retailer from 2005 for around nine years, ultimately serving as Buying and Brand Director with responsibility across commercial and marketing functions. He later went on to hold senior roles including CEO of Jigsaw, Managing Director of Anthropologie, and CEO of Canadian retailer Indigo before returning to John Lewis in January 2024.

In announcing his departure, John Lewis Partnership highlighted a wide-ranging modernization program carried out under Ruis’s leadership.

Among the most significant initiatives was the overhaul of “Never Knowingly Undersold,” the pricing pledge that has been associated with John Lewis for more than a century. The proposition was relaunched as a broader brand promise focused not only on price but also on quality.

Ruis also oversaw major investment in stores, improvements to digital platforms and search functions, and the introduction of new brands and services across the business.

In fashion, John Lewis played a central role in bringing Topshop and Topman back into physical retail. From February 2026, Topshop began rolling out across 32 John Lewis stores nationwide.

The retailer also expanded its fashion assortment with brands including MM6, MOTHER and Studio Nicholson, while continuing to update the fashion floors at its Oxford Street flagship.

Beyond fashion, the business introduced new hospitality concepts including Platter John Lewis and expanded its sports and wellness offer, reflecting a broader effort to position the department store as more than simply a place to purchase products, but as a destination combining retail, services and experiences.

Commenting on his departure, Ruis said: “After nearly three years of significant investment and modernisation, the business is now on a much stronger footing. I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved and there is still much more to come. I would like to thank our customers, Partners, brands and suppliers for their tremendous support, and I wish Will every success as he takes on the role.”

Will Kernan Brings 35 Years of Retail Experience

Kernan brings approximately 35 years of experience across the retail industry.

He has previously served as CEO of River Island, The White Company and Wiggle, and spent 13 years at New Look, where he held a number of senior positions including Group Financial Director, Group Trading Director, COO and Group Managing Director.

More recently, he has served as chairman of premium furniture and kitchen retailer Neptune, where he has been involved in the company’s transformation.

Kernan joined the John Lewis Partnership board as a non-executive director in September 2023, meaning the company is handing leadership of the department store business to an executive who is already familiar with its strategy and employee-owned partnership model.

Kernan said: “Having served on the Partnership’s board for three years, I have a clear understanding of the John Lewis business and a huge appreciation for the Partnership’s values and employee-ownership model.

“We have significant headroom for growth and I’m looking forward to leading the team to ensure John Lewis remains the country’s most trusted and loved retailer, in store and online.”

Sales Rise 3% as Store Investment Continues

The leadership transition comes as John Lewis continues a broader transformation of the business.

For the 2025/26 financial year, John Lewis reported sales of £4.9 billion, up 3% year over year. Adjusted operating profit increased by £13 million to £58 million, while the retailer also recorded its highest-ever Net Promoter Score.

Across John Lewis Partnership, which also owns Waitrose, total sales rose 5% to £13.4 billion. Profit before tax, bonus and exceptional items increased 6% to £134 million.

However, after approximately £120 million in exceptional charges, including writedowns related to legacy systems, the Partnership reported a statutory pre-tax loss of £21 million.

Investment in physical retail is also continuing. In June, John Lewis announced plans to invest a combined £50 million during 2026 across five stores in Glasgow, Cambridge, Leicester, Reading and Liverpool.

The spending forms part of a wider multi-year transformation program worth approximately £800 million, with plans to upgrade all 36 John Lewis stores.

Challenging UK Retail Environment Puts Focus on the Next Phase

The leadership change also comes against a difficult backdrop for the UK retail sector.

Days before Ruis’s departure was announced, John Lewis Partnership Chairman Jason Tarry reportedly warned employees that trading conditions had become more challenging than expected, amid pressure on sales and rising costs.

John Lewis Partnership, however, has not linked Ruis’s departure to deteriorating trading conditions or financial performance. The company’s official announcement states that he is leaving to pursue new projects and describes Kernan’s appointment as part of an orderly succession process.

It would therefore be premature to directly connect the leadership change with the recent pressure facing the business.

Kernan’s arrival in September will also come at a critical point in the retail calendar, as the company begins preparing for the important holiday trading period.

John Lewis Partnership is scheduled to report its 2026/27 half-year results on September 10, placing renewed attention on how the company will balance continued brand transformation with profitability under its new leadership.

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