John Lewis Partnership appoints Rita Clifton CBE as Deputy Chairman
Rita is replacing Keith Williams, who stepped down from the John Lewis Partnership Board in April 2020
The John Lewis partnership has announced that Rita Clifton CBE will become its next Vice-Chair.
Rita, who will join the Partnership Board in February, has extensive experience as a non-executive director in a number of sectors that face consumers, including retail.
She currently serves in non-executive roles with the Nationwide Building Society and Ascential plc. She resigned from the board of directors ASOS Earlier this year, after serving six years previously in non-executive roles at Dixons Retail, Emap, Bupa, and research firm Populus Group.
Rita has worked on branding strategies with many of the world's leading companies during her career as Vice Chairman and Strategy Director at Saatchi & Saatchi. as London CEO and Chairman of the global brand consultancy Interbrand; and as a co-founder of BrandCap.
Rita's not-for-profit nominations have included WWF (Worldwide Fund for Nature), the UK Commission on Sustainable Development and the trustee of the green think tank, Green Alliance. She was recently appointed Chair of the Board of Trustees of the leading sustainability organization Forum for the Future.
Sharon White, Chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, said, “I am delighted to have Rita join the partnership as vice chairperson. She brings a wealth of leadership experience to an impressive career. Rita is a perfect fit for the partnership and we will benefit greatly from her extensive expertise in brand strategy and retail.
"I am very grateful to Andy Martin, who did a fantastic job as our interim deputy chairman."
Rita Clifton said, “Waitrose and John Lewis are two of the most trusted brands in the country and loved by customers. I have long admired the products, purpose and unique business approach of the partnership. I look forward to joining the board as the partnership enters the next exciting phase in its development. "
Rita is replacing Keith Williams, who stepped down from the Partnership Board in April 2020. Andy Martin continues to be the non-executive director of the partnership and chairman of the Audit & Risk Committee.
