John Lewis department store boss Peter Ruis to step down

10th Aug 2026 12:36

(Sharecast News) - The John Lewis Partnership said on Monday that the managing director of its department store chain, Peter Ruis, has decided to step down to pursue new projects.

Non-executive board member Will Kernan will take on the role as part of an "orderly succession plan", it said.

Ruis returned to John Lewis in January 2024, after a number of retail leadership roles, having previously been with the retailer for nine years.

The company said Kernan has held several senior retail leadership positions over a 35-year career. He has served as the CEO of River Island, The White Company, Wiggle and had a thirteen-year tenure at New Look, holding various roles ranging from group financial director to group trading director, COO and group managing director.

Most recently, he has been chairman of furniture and kitchen retailer Neptune. He joined the John Lewis Partnership's board as a non-executive director in 2023.

Chairman Jason Tarry said: "Peter has done a fantastic job and will be missed by all of our Partners. He's injected energy and pace into the John Lewis transformation and we are sad to see him go.

"Will is perfectly placed to take John Lewis on to the next phase of development and growth. I'm pleased that we've been able to oversee an orderly succession with Will who knows John Lewis and the team incredibly well from his time on the Partnership's board."

Ruis will remain with the business until 6 September and Kernan will take up the role in mid-September.