John Lewis’s property chief has unexpectedly quit in a blow to chairman Dame Sharon White’s plan to <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2022/06/09/john-lewis-targets-south-east-suburbia-homebuilding-push/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">push into housing</a>.

Chris Harris, the company’s property director of five years and a pivotal figure in the move into house building, has resigned and will depart the company in November. He is credited with having struck a £500m deal with <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2022/12/02/john-lewis-strikes-500m-deal-turn-supermarkets-homes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">fund manager Abrdn</a> last year to build 1,000 “build to rent” homes in Reading, Bromley and West Ealing. The deal is part of Dame Sharon’s efforts to diversify John Lewis beyond retail and end several years of losses.

John Lewis wants to build 10,000 rental homes by 2030 and hopes 40pc of profits will come from activities beyond retail by then.&nbsp;

Third high-profile departure this year adds to the loss-making partnership’s troubles{ai:summary}John Lewis suffers setback as property chief Chris Harris quits, a key figure in the company's move into housing. Last year he struck a £500m deal to build 1,000 "build to rent" homes in Reading, Bromley and West Ealing with fund manager Abrdn. Harris' departure is a blow to chairman Dame Sharon White's efforts to diversify beyond retail and end several years of losses. #economy

John Lewis property chief leaves in blow to Dame Sharon White’s housing plans

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