Paula Nickolds
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 47) |
| 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
Nickolds 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]
Career
In 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. [3]
References
- 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)".
- "John Lewis left reeling by shock exit of 'golden girl' Paula Nickolds". The Times.