John Lewis’ great grandson exits Oak Furnitureland over hybrid working

John Lewis’ great grandson Patrick Lewis has stepped down from Oak Furnitureland less than a year into his position due to its hybrid working policy.

Lewis resigned as the company’s chief financial officer this month, after joining Oak Furnitureland in July.

The furniture retailer required workers to work from its Swindon-based head office three days per week. However, it is believed that the requirements became unsuitable as the executive wanted to be closer to his family living in the southeast of England.

Lewis is set to continue in various non-executive board positions he already held and has not taken on a further executive position elsewhere.

Oak Furnitureland has named Grayham Dibb-Fuller as interim chief financial officer.

The business’s CEO Alex Fisher said that Dibb-Fuller brought “extensive retail and consumer experience, which will be invaluable as we continue to focus on delivering the next phase of growth”.

Commenting on Lewis’ departure, he added: “He has been a key part of the leadership team and a real champion of our business.

“We’re grateful for the impact he’s made during his time at Oak Furnitureland and wish him the very best as he takes more time to focus on his non-executive commitments and his family.”

In March, Fisher said Oak Furnitureland entered its new financial year on a “much firmer footing” after like-for-like sales rose 9% in the 16 weeks to 22 December.

The chief executive said the momentum had “continued positively” during its peak January sales and that the business was “well set to deliver future growth plans”.

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