Paula Margaret Nickolds (born February 1973) is a British businesswoman. From January 2017 until January 2020, she was the managing director of the John Lewis department store chain.[1]
Paula Nickolds | |
|---|---|
| Born | Paula Margaret Nickolds February 1973 (age 51) |
| Nationality | British |
| Education | University of Southampton |
| Occupation | Businesswoman |
| Title | Former managing director, John Lewis |
| Term | January 2017-January 2020 |
| Predecessor | Andy Street |
| Successor | Pippa Wicks |
Early life
editNickolds was born in February 1973.[2] Her father, Clive Nickolds, was a senior director at Marks & Spencer, and head of its international operations.[1] She earned a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Southampton,[1] and attended St Helen's School where she spent hours in the pool as a keen member of the swimming team.[3]
Career
editIn 1994, Nickolds joined John Lewis as a graduate trainee at their Oxford Street flagship store.[1] In January 2017, she succeeded Andy Street as managing director of John Lewis; she thereby became the first woman to hold this position in the company's 153-year history.[1]
She unexpectedly left the company in January 2020, along with two of John Lewis' most senior, long serving executives, just as it looked to navigate a radical overhaul to merge its grocery and department store businesses.[4]
In May 2021, it was announced that she has been appointed by Sainsbury's to run its £7.8bn clothing and general merchandise arm, putting her head-to-head with her former employer John Lewis.[5]
In January 2024, it was announced that she was leaving Sainsbury's to become chief executive at The White Company, starting at the end of March.[6]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Butler, Sarah (25 October 2016). "Paula Nickolds: John Lewis lifer who was destined for retail success" – via The Guardian.
- ^ "Paula Margaret NICKOLDS - Personal Appointments (free information from Companies House)".
- ^ "Who Is Paula Nickolds, John Lewis's First Female MD?". British Vogue. 26 October 2016. Retrieved 2020-11-29.
- ^ "John Lewis left reeling by shock exit of 'golden girl' Paula Nickolds". The Times.
- ^ "John Lewis nightmare: boss resurfaces at rival Sainsbury's". Miscrosoft News.
- ^ Wright, Georgia (2024-01-18). "Nickolds leaves Sainsbury's to become The White Company CEO - Retail Gazette". www.retailgazette.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
