London, England, United Kingdom, February 2025 – John Lewis & Partners has announced the appointment of Vikki Kavanagh as its new Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), effective April 2025. Kavanagh steps into the role with a wealth of experience in retail strategy, buying, and merchandising, having held key leadership positions at leading retailers including Net-A-Porter, Harvey Nichols, House of Fraser, Fenwick, and Very Exclusive.
She takes over from Kathleen Mitchell and will report to Peter Ruis, Executive Director.
Commenting on the appointment, Peter Ruis stated:
“Vikki’s extensive experience and proven leadership in the retail sector make her an invaluable addition to our team. Her strategic vision and commercial acumen will be instrumental as we continue to evolve and enhance our customer offering.”
Expressing her enthusiasm, Kavanagh shared:
“I’m incredibly excited and proud to be joining John Lewis, which is a brand I’ve admired for many years. John Lewis has a unique opportunity to redefine the UK omnichannel retail experience, and I’m looking forward to working with the team to deliver an exceptional offer for our customers.”
Before joining John Lewis & Partners, Vikki Kavanagh was the Managing Director at Net-A-Porter and Mr Porter, where she spearheaded strategic growth initiatives and digital transformation efforts in the luxury fashion e-commerce sector. Prior to this, she served as Interim Managing Director at YOOX NET-A-PORTER, overseeing global commercial strategy and expansion.
She previously held leadership roles at THE OUTNET.COM, where she was Global Buying & Merchandising Director, responsible for curating premium fashion collections. Before that, she was Head of Buying at Very Exclusive, where she played a key role in brand development and category expansion.
Earlier in her career, Kavanagh held senior buying positions at Harvey Nichols, House of Fraser, and Fenwick, honing her expertise in luxury retail, merchandising strategy, and customer experience enhancement.
About John Lewis & Partners
Founded in 1864, John Lewis & Partners has built a reputation for exceptional customer service and high-quality products, making it a household name in the UK retail industry. Operating under the John Lewis Partnership umbrella, the company follows a unique employee ownership model, ensuring that all Partners (employees) have a stake in the company’s success.
The company continues to innovate and evolve, offering customers an omnichannel shopping experience that seamlessly blends in-store and online retail. As it embarks on its next phase of growth, John Lewis remains committed to its core values of quality, trust, and customer satisfaction.
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