John Lewis Partnership taps former Tesco executive Tom Denyard to lead Waitrose

John Lewis Partnership has appointed Tom Denyard, currently head of Tesco’s online business, as the next chief executive of its Waitrose supermarket chain, the company announced on Tuesday. Denyard is due to take up the role in January 2026 and will succeed James Bailey, who is stepping down at the end of this month after five years leading the business.

The appointment was made by John Lewis Partnership chief executive Jason Tarry, who previously worked with Denyard at Tesco. Tarry said he was “confident that under his guidance, Waitrose will continue to thrive and innovate, building on the impressive progress made by James Bailey and the Waitrose team.” Bailey’s departure follows the exit last year of former partnership chief executive Nish Kankiwala.

Denyard has held a number of senior roles during a long career at Tesco, most recently leading the supermarket group’s online operations. He and Tarry were colleagues at Tesco, where Tarry served as UK boss before taking over the John Lewis Partnership last year. The partnership operates both Waitrose and John Lewis department stores and has been managing a strategic shift as it seeks to strengthen its competitive position in the UK retail market.

Analysts said the appointment comes as competition for higher‑spending, middle‑class shoppers has intensified, particularly between Waitrose and Marks & Spencer’s food business. Under Bailey, Waitrose pursued a mix of product innovation, supply‑chain improvements and a focus on premium ranges to protect market share. The new chief will inherit those priorities while navigating cost pressures facing UK supermarkets and changing consumer habits.

The leadership change follows a period of notable turnover at the partnership’s top ranks. Tarry, who took the helm of the partnership last year, has emphasised the need to modernise operations across both retail brands and to leverage digital and omnichannel capabilities. Denyard’s experience running an ecommerce division at one of Britain’s largest grocers is likely to factor into the partnership’s plans to boost online grocery sales and to integrate digital services with in‑store offerings.

John Lewis Partnership did not disclose detailed strategic plans tied to Denyard’s appointment, but the company said he will work with existing Waitrose management to ensure a smooth transition and to continue the progress achieved under Bailey. The partnership’s governing structure, in which employees are partners with a voice in company affairs, will remain in place as the new chief assumes responsibility for day‑to‑day operations.

Denyard’s appointment will be watched closely by competitors and investors alike as a test of whether leadership with a strong online retail background can accelerate Waitrose’s growth in an increasingly digital market. The partnership reiterated that further announcements about leadership and strategy will be made in due course.

James Bailey served as Waitrose chief for five years and announced his decision to step down last month. His tenure included efforts to reposition the brand and to stabilise performance amid challenging conditions for UK grocers. Denyard’s arrival in January will mark a new phase for Waitrose as it seeks to sustain gains and sharpen its offer to target customers.