London, United Kingdom, October 2025 — The John Lewis Partnership, the UK’s largest employee-owned business, has announced the appointment of Helen Webb OBE as its new Chief People Officer (CPO). Webb brings over three decades of senior HR leadership across retail and other sectors, marking a significant addition to the Partnership’s leadership team as it continues its transformation journey.
Webb joins the Partnership from WHSmith, where she served as Chief People Officer for more than two years, steering the business through major organisational change. Before that, she was Chief People and Services Officer at the Co-op, and earlier in her career held senior HR roles at Sainsbury’s, Marks and Spencer, and Aviva.
Her vast experience in shaping people strategies and leading cultural evolution across major UK employers positions her to play a pivotal role in strengthening the Partnership’s focus on colleague engagement, culture, and long-term growth.
Jason Tarry, Chairman of the Partnership, said: “I’m delighted to appoint Helen to the executive team as our new chief people officer. She will be instrumental in shaping the partnership’s people strategy, fostering our strong partner ethos and driving talent development. Helen will play a crucial role in nurturing our unique partner culture and ensuring the partnership remains a fantastic place to work.”
Tarry also took the opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of the outgoing interim CPO: “This is also a moment for me to express my huge gratitude to Jo Rackham, who has led brilliantly as interim chief people officer for the past 18 months. During this period, Jo has forged ahead with the people agenda and progressed important changes that are foundational to our work in the years ahead.”
Expressing her excitement about joining the organisation, Helen Webb said:”It’s an incredible privilege to join the John Lewis Partnership, a business renowned for its unique ownership model and commitment to its partners. I’m passionate about creating an environment where people can thrive and feel a true sense of belonging, and I’m looking forward to working with the team to build on the partnership’s strong foundations in the people space.”
About John Lewis Partnership
The John Lewis Partnership is the largest employee-owned business in the UK and home to two of Britain’s most loved brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. The Partnership is driven by its purpose to build a happier world, with employees known as Partners, who share in the ownership, responsibility, and rewards of the business.
Renowned for being “Never Knowingly Undersold” on price, quality, and service at John Lewis and for its passion for food and service excellence at Waitrose, the Partnership continues to innovate, adapt, and diversify. It strives to create an inclusive workplace where Partners can thrive, feel a sense of belonging, and bring their authentic selves to work — a reflection of its long-standing ethos of kindness, respect, and shared growth.
As the Partnership continues its journey of transformation and renewal, Webb’s appointment signals a strong commitment to people-first leadership and sustaining the distinctive partner culture that defines the organisation.
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