Former Tesco exec named as new Waitrose MD

The John Lewis Partnership has named former Tesco executive Tom Denyard as the new managing director of Waitrose.

The partnership has moved quickly to name a successor to James Bailey, who confirmed he was leaving the upmarket retailer a fortnight ago.

Denyard will be well known to JLP executive chairman Jason Tarry, who he will have worked with during their time at Tesco. Denyard joined Tesco in 2015 and has held a number of senior roles, including MD of Tesco Online, CEO of Tesco Mobile and COO of Tesco stores in Malaysia. He also held various positions in food buying at the retailer.

Tarry took over as the JLP boss a year ago, replacing Sharon White. Before that he had spent more than 30 years at Tesco including leading its UK business.

Before Tesco Denyard held a variety of roles across sales, marketing, category, strategy and general management at Unilever, and has also spent a year as head of brand for food at M&S between October 2011 and 2012.

“I’m delighted to appoint Tom as the managing director for Waitrose,” said Tarry. “Tom’s blend of brand, customer, commercial and operational experience make him the ideal person to take the business forward. I’m confident that under his guidance, Waitrose will continue to thrive and innovate, delivering exceptional quality and service to our customers, building on the impressive progress made by James Bailey and the Waitrose team.”

Denyard added: “I’m incredibly proud and excited to take on the role of managing director for Waitrose and join a broader partnership I hugely admire. Waitrose is a brilliant brand with wonderful values and fantastic partners who bring them to life day in and day out for our customers.

“I can’t wait to start the work of building on the terrific progress James and the whole team have made in enhancing the customer offer in recent years, and ensuring Waitrose is the destination for quality food and outstanding service. It’s a massively exciting time for the brand and the partnership. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work with partners to bring continued success.”

He will take up his new role in January while Bailey, who has been in the role for five-and-a-half years, will officially step down on 30 September. Waitrose retail director Tina Mitchell will act as MD on an interim basis until Denyard joins the business.