Rob Collins, Waitrose

Source: Photo courtesy of Alex Griffiths

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Rob Collins

UK MD, Waitrose

Last ranked: -

Collins will have big shoes to fill when he takes over at Waitrose in April following the departure of the charismatic Mark ‘Chubby Grocer’ Price. What’s more sales are struggling and profits are falling as its big stores have been sucked into the price war. And the vexed Ocado contract needs to be renewed. Collins is a very different animal from Price, but his grooming in retail and leadership terms are impeccable: Collins is the son of ex-Dixons chairman Sir John, and he’s been at the John Lewis Partnership for 23 years, moving to Waitrose as e-commerce director in 2007, then personnel director in 2010, before being appointed retail director in 2012.

The Grocer's Power List 2016 reflects a sector in upheaval