Sir Charlie joined the Board as Development Director in 2001 and was responsible for developing the Partnership’s online strategy. He became Managing Director of John Lewis in January 2005 prior to taking up his appointment as Chairman of the Partnership in March 2007.
Sir Charlie began his career as an officer in the army. He joined SmithKline Beecham in 1992 and became Marketing Manager for the Lucozade brand, before moving to McKinsey & Co in 1996. Charlie is the Government appointed Chair of the UK Commission for Employment and Skills, President of the Employee Ownership Association and a Director of Central Surrey Health Trustee Limited.
Charlie was knighted in June 2013 for services to business.