Sir Charlie Mayfield and Andy Street, Retail, Debrett's 500 2015, People

Sir Charlie Mayfield and Andy Street

Chairman and Managing Director, John Lewis

Sir Charlie Mayfield has been chairman of the John Lewis Partnership since 2007, having joined in 2000 as head of business development. He began work as an officer in the army, only later diving into the retail world after some time with Lucozade and McKinsey & Co. Andy Street began his career at John Lewis straight after graduating from Oxford where he worked his way to becoming director of personnel in 2002, and a member of the partnership board. He has been managing director since 2007 after Sir Charlie was appointed to chairman. While most retailers cut back in the eye of the recession’s storm, John Lewis continued with its investment plans, using the fact that other businesses were reducing their activity to push themselves ahead. Together, Sir Charlie, Mr Street and the partnership they represent are an indomitable force in the retail world.