Former River Island CEO Will Kernan is to join the board of the John Lewis Partnership next week taking up the spot vacated by Nish Kankiwala, who became the retail partnership’s first CEO in March of this year.
From September 2019 to April 2023, Kernan served as CEO of the clothing retailer River Island. He then resigned to focus on a variety of jobs. He formerly served as chairman of the biscuit gift manufacturer Biscuiteers and has since taken the helm of the high-end furniture company Neptune. On 12th September, he will formally take his place on the board of the John Lewis Partnership.
Previously serving as the CEO of the bike retailer Wiggle and The White Company before joining River Island, Kernan is an experienced retail leader. At New Look, he worked for 13 years before becoming the Chief Operating Officer.
Sharon White, Chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, said of the appointment, “I’m delighted to welcome Will as the newest member of our Partnership Board.”
Kernan joins the Partnership Board’s independent Non-Executive Directors, Rita Clifton CBE, who serves as Deputy Chairman, and Nicky Dulieu who is also Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee.
