The John Lewis Partnership has announced that James Bailey will leave his role as Waitrose managing director at the end of September, bringing to a close more than five years at the helm of the supermarket.
Bailey, who joined in 2020, guided Waitrose through the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis, overseeing record customer numbers, strong sales growth and a return to profitability.
Partnership chairman Jason Tarry praised Bailey’s leadership during “a period of change,” noting that he had overseen “significant transformation and growth” and leaves the business in a stronger position.
Tarry said: “We will be sad to see James go, but understand and respect his decision to step down after five and a half years at the helm. James will leave Waitrose in a much stronger position, and I know he will be missed by everyone.”
Bailey called his time at Waitrose “a great privilege” and said the business is now well positioned for long-term success.
He added: ” I’m very proud of everything we’ve [Waitrose] achieved together; it’s been a lot of hard work but very rewarding and I’m so happy now to see the business thriving.
“Waitrose is back on a very strong footing with record customer numbers, strong sales growth and a turnaround in profitability so after five and a half years this feels like the right time to hand over the reins. I feel confident that we’ve laid the foundations for long term success and have the opportunity now to go from strength to strength.”
The supermarket said retail director Tina Mitchell will take over as interim managing director following Bailey’s departure, while the Partnership begins the search for his successor.