Who is Jason Tarry? Former Tesco boss named John Lewis’ new chairman

Retail giant John Lewis has named its new successor for chairman as former Tesco boss Jason Tarry.

The 56-year-old will take over the role in September this year, when Dame Sharon White steps down, and will be responsible for the fortunes of the partnership which runs the John Lewis department stores and Waitrose supermarkets.

Rita Clifton, deputy chairwoman and chairwoman of the nomination committee, said that as the partnership moves into the next phase of its modernisation “we are confident that Jason will provide the kind of inspirational leadership, a proven track record in multi-channel, multi-category retail success and a strong identification with partnership values that we are seeking in this role.”

Who is Jason Tarry?

Mr Tarry is a veteran of the supermarket chain Tesco, having worked there for more than 33 years.

He joined the Tesco graduate programme in 1990, after gaining a degree in business studies at Staffordshire University, and has worked across a number of department from grocery and fashion to commercial, operational and general management positions. 

He was chief executive of the UK and Ireland business for six years, boosting its grocery sales, before stepping down in March.

The married father-of-three, who lives in Hertfordshire, will take over the running of the partnership after it returned to profit this year.

It reported full-year profits of £56m last month compared with a £234m loss the year before.

He will be John Lewis’ seventh permanent chairman when he assumes the role in September.

Speaking about his appointment, he said it was a “great privilege” to lead the company adding: “The partnership is unique and I’ve long been an admirer of the employee-ownership model, its values and partner-led customer service.”

Why did Dame Sharon White step down?

Dame Sharon announced in October 2023 that she would be stepping down from her role leading the partnership this year after just five years at the helm.

It is the shortest tenure as chairman at the partnership with her predecessors serving from 13 to 26 years.

At the time of her announcement, sources told the BBC she was leaving at a moment when she considers the worst of the cost of living crisis to be over and it was a good time for an orderly succession.

She was the first woman to take on the job and one of the few black women to head a leading UK business.

But she has faced criticism during her time as chairman for her lack of retail experience and considering breaking up the employee-owned structure of the firm.

Ms Clifton, from the nomination committee, thanked Dame Sharon “for successfully leading the partnership through one of the most testing periods in its history – first Covid and then the cost-of-living crisis”.

She said: “She has faced into the toughest decisions and overseen the partnership’s financial recovery.”