Simon Russell

Simon started his career at the John Lewis Partnership after graduating from St Andrews University. His career has focused on the business' operational management including Managing Director of its Sheffield and Bluewater branches. He led the £22m refurbishment including the introduction of a new Foodhall in 2009 at Bluewater.

In January 2010 he became John Lewis' first Head of Multi-Channel leading the integration of a growing and significant online channel with a successful established department store business. In 2012 he became Director, Retail Operations Development where he was responsible for the 'shop of the future' vision from both a customer experience point of view and a business operating model along with the delivery of all retail programmes including the key IT Omni Channel infrastructure. His role was broadened to add supply chain, contact centre and delivery to shop development as Director, Operations Development in 2017.

In 2020, after 30 years at John Lewis, Simon became an independent retail consultant advising investors, retailers and Consulting businesses. He is also Chairman of the board of governors at Lewisham College.

He lives in Kent with his wife and daughter.