The John Lewis Partnership, which owns UK supermarket Waitrose, has announced that Jason Tarry will be appointed chairman following Sharon White’s departure.

Tarry, who was most recently the UK & Ireland CEO of Tesco, brings over 33 years of experience to the role. His experience spans grocery, general merchandise and fashion in senior commercial, operational and general management positions.

He is expected to take up his role in September 2024, at which point Sharon White will step down and support the transition.

Jason Tarry, chairman designate, said: “The Partnership and its brands stand for trust, value, quality and service and it’s a great privilege to be succeeding Sharon as the seventh chairman. The Partnership is unique and I’ve long been an admirer of the employee-ownership model, its values and Partner-led customer service.

“This starts with a sharp focus on being brilliant retailers for customers and investing in growth. I’m looking forward to working with the board, Nish and the executive team to deliver its clear strategy.”

Sharon White, chairman of the Partnership, said: “I’m delighted to be handing over to Jason, who has a combination of fantastic retail experience with leadership through the transformation. From my many conversations with Jason, he has demonstrated a clear appreciation for the Partnership model and champions it. I look forward to welcoming him to the Partnership in September and carrying out a smooth handover.

“I also want to thank Partners for their commitment and hard work; it’s been a huge privilege to be chairman and I’m proud of what everyone has achieved. We’ve built the foundations for a stronger Partnership and I’m confident that Jason will take it from strength to strength.”