A notable number of CEOs from major retailers have vacated their positions recently, marking significant changes in the retail landscape.
- John Lewis sees a leadership change as Nish Kankiwala steps down from his CEO role to return to a non-executive position.
- Andrew Keith departs Selfridges to seek new opportunities, leaving André Maeder at the helm in the UK.
- Jo Whitfield resigns from Matalan to explore a portfolio career, with a search underway for her successor.
- Mohsin Issa transitions from Asda’s leadership to focus on EG Group, with Lord Rose assuming control.
The retail sector is experiencing considerable shifts in leadership, with several CEOs resigning in recent months. Nish Kankiwala has stepped down as CEO of John Lewis, reverting to a non-executive role. He is set to rejoin the board in March 2025 to assist the new chairman, Jason Tarry. Kankiwala expressed pride in his past contributions and confidence in Tarry’s continuation of the company’s transformation.
In July, Andrew Keith left Selfridges after four years, pursuing new ventures. During his tenure, Keith advanced from managing director to CEO, cultivating Selfridges’ reputation as a creative and welcoming destination. His responsibilities have been taken over by André Maeder, newly appointed as Selfridges Group CEO, who continues to lead the UK team.
Jo Whitfield exited her CEO position at Matalan after an 18-month tenure to pursue her interest in a portfolio career. Whitfield, who had previously led Co-op Food, was notable for her role in advancing Matalan’s turnaround strategy, which included reorganising the top team and reaffirming its value credentials. Karl-Heinz Holland is temporarily assuming her duties until a suitable replacement is found.
September marked the departure of Mohsin Issa from Asda’s leadership, as he now focuses on his role as sole CEO of EG Group. Despite stepping back, Issa remains a co-owner and non-executive at Asda. Lord Rose, Asda’s chair, acknowledged the shifting responsibilities and thanked Issa for his contributions, particularly in expanding into convenience stores and implementing a loyalty app.
In another significant change, Lysa Hardy was promoted to CEO of Hotel Chocolat, following the company’s acquisition by Mars. Hardy, previously a non-executive at Superdry, has been instrumental in doubling the retailer’s UK business size and launching the Velvetiser Hot Chocolate category. Angus Thirlwell, co-founder, has transitioned to the role of president.
Seb James’s departure from Boots was announced in June, after Walgreens cancelled plans to sell the retailer. Hemmerdinger, who has been with Boots since 2022, is set to replace James in November, as the company continues its growth trajectory under current leadership.
Finally, Burberry saw a leadership transition when Jonathan Akeroyd stepped down, replaced by Joshua Schulman. Akeroyd’s departure coincided with a challenging period for Burberry, marked by a decline in profits. Schulman, with a proven track record, is tasked with navigating the brand through these difficulties.
These changes highlight a dynamic period of transition in the retail sector.
