John Lewis Partnership appoints new executive director for people

The John Lewis Partnership has hired Nikki Humphrey as its executive director for people.

She will succeed Tracey Killen who has retired after a 38 year career with the partnership.

Due to join the business on 1 October, Humphrey is currently working with Virgin Atlantic as chief people officer. In her new role, she will be responsible for developing and delivering a people strategy for the partnership’s 80,000 staff.

Prior to joining Virgin Atlantic in 2017, Humphrey worked for 15 years with Lloyds Banking Group where her most recent role was people director, centre for excellence.

Sharon White, chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, said: “This appointment comes at a time where we are working hard to develop our people strategy. Nikki’s impressive experience will help ensure the partnership continues to be a great place to work for current and future partners, that both rewards and develops partners, provides exceptional health and wellbeing support and improves our diversity and inclusion strategy, truly reflecting the communities we serve.”

Humphrey will be part of the John Lewis Partnership’s seven-strong executive team which earlier this year saw James Bailey join as executive director of Waitrose and Pippa Wicks as executive director of John Lewis.