John Lewis Partnership has appointed Dame Clare Tickell and Michael Herlihy as its first independent directors.
Reporting to the chairman, the new roles aim to provide insight and challenge to the Partnership. Both roles are full-time and are in addition to the three non-executive directors that sit on the Partnership Board.
Dame Clare Tickell joins the Partnership on 14 October 2019.
Tickell is currently non-executive director at the National Audit Office, chair of the Board at the Early Intervention Foundation, and a fellow of the RSA. Tickell was also chief executive of Hanover Housing Association from January 2014 to November 2018.
Prior to that she held a number of senior roles including chief executive of Action for Children and chief executive of the Stonham Housing Association. This is in addition to a range of other organisations providing housing for people.
Tickell was also a non-executive director on the board of the Information Commissioner’s Office and produced an independent report on the Early Years Foundation Stage to Her Majesty’s Government.
“I am delighted to be joining the Partnership at a time of such critical change,” says Dame Clare Tickell. “I’ve been a long-time admirer of its principles and look forward to taking up this important role.”
Michael Herlihy will begin his new role from 3 February 2020.
Herlihy became Partnership secretary and a member of the Partnership’s executive team in April 2018. He joins the Partnership from Smiths Group plc, where he was general counsel for almost 10 years. Prior to that, he spent 26 years at Imperial Chemical Industries plc, including 10 as general counsel.
Herlihy has also held a variety of non-executive roles including that of senior independent director at Imperial Brands plc. Furthermore, he is a solicitor and graduate of Oxford University.
“The roots of these new roles go all the way back to the original principles and organisation that Spedan Lewis designed for the Partnership,” says Herlihy. “To be asked to take on this responsibility at such a challenging time is a huge honour.”
Also commenting is Sir Charlie Mayfield, chairman of the John Lewis Partnership. “I’m delighted with these appointments and the experience both Clare and Michael will bring to these roles.
“The independent directors are new roles as part of our review of the Partnership’s governance structure. They provide a source of insight and challenge on the extent to which they are upholding the Principles of the Constitution.
“Free from operational responsibilities, the independent directors work on behalf of the chairman and trustees of the Constitution and will play a critical role in ensuring the integrity of the Partnership.”
