John Lewis Partnership appoints Rita Clifton as next deputy chairman

The John Lewis Partnership has appointed former ASOS board member Rita Clifton CBE as its next deputy chairman. 

Clifton will join the Partnership Board in February, replacing Keith Williams who stepped down in April 2020. 

She joins with “significant experience” as a non-executive director in a range of consumer facing sectors, including retail, and currently holds non-executive roles with Nationwide Building Society and Ascential plc.

She stepped down from the Board of ASOS earlier this year, having served six years and has previously held non-executive roles with Dixons Retail, Emap, Bupa and research firm Populus Group.

Clifton has also worked to hone the brand strategies of a number of leading global companies during her executive career as vice chairman and strategy director at Saatchi & Saatchi; as London chief executive officer and chairman of Interbrand and as co-founder of BrandCap.

Not-for-profit Board appointments have also included the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) the UK Sustainable Development Commission and trustee of the environmental think tank Green Alliance. She was also recently appointed chair of trustees at sustainability organisation Forum for the Future.

JLP chairman Sharon White said: “I’m delighted that Rita is joining the Partnership as deputy chairman. She brings a wealth of leadership experience across an impressive career.  

“Rita is a perfect fit for the Partnership and we’ll benefit greatly from her deep expertise in brand strategy and retail. 

“I’m very grateful to Andy Martin who has done a fantastic job as our interim deputy chairman.”

Commenting on her appointment, Clifton said: “Waitrose and John Lewis are two of the country’s most trusted brands, which are loved by customers. I’ve long-admired the Partnership’s products, purpose and unique approach to doing business.

“I’m looking forward to joining the Board as the Partnership enters the next exciting phase in its development.”

Clifton replaces Keith Williams who stepped down from the Partnership Board in April 2020.

Andy Martin continues as non-executive director of the Partnership and chair of the audit & risk committee.