John Lewis appoints Will Kernan as Managing Director

Lucas Bennett 08/14/2026

A New Chapter for John Lewis: Will Kernan Takes the Helm

The retail landscape is constantly evolving, and when established institutions decide to pivot, it often signals exciting new directions. At John Lewis Partnership, a significant chapter is opening up as the organisation appoints Will Kernan as its new Managing Director, succeeding Peter Ruis.

This transition marks an important moment for the partnership, bringing in a leader with a wealth of diverse experience ready to guide the company into its next phase of growth and transformation. Kernan will officially take up the reins in mid-September.

Kernan steps into this pivotal role bringing with him three and a half decades of deep retail leadership expertise. His career includes holding CEO positions at well-known brands such as River Island, The White Company, and Wiggle, alongside senior roles at New Look. This extensive background in trading and management provides him with the practical knowledge necessary to tackle complex commercial challenges.

Adding depth to his transition is his existing connection to the Partnership. Kernan has served as a Non-Executive Director on the John Lewis Partnership Board since 2023, giving him an intimate understanding of the organisation’s mission and strategic goals before assuming the top executive role.

The departure follows a period of intensive focus on modernization. Peter Ruis returned to John Lewis in January 2024, overseeing a substantial programme aimed at refreshing the business across its physical stores, digital capabilities, brand partnerships, and new propositions.

Ruis will remain with the business until September 6th, ensuring a smooth handover as Kernan prepares to lead the future direction of John Lewis. The focus now shifts towards leveraging this fresh leadership to continue building upon the significant investments already made in both physical retail spaces and online engagement.

With Kernan’s combined history of high-level retail management and familiarity with the Partnership structure, there is palpable anticipation that he will drive continued development across both store operations and digital innovation. The next era for John Lewis is set to be defined by this dynamic new leadership.