62 John Lewis Partnership plc Annual Report and Accounts 2016 Governance in the Partnership (continued)


Overview of Group functions Function


Role Chairman’s Office Communications


The Chairman’s Office team supports the Chairman in carrying out his responsibilities.


Ensuring Partners have engaging, two-way communication and knowledge sharing throughout the Partnership whilst strengthening our reputation for open communication with external audiences and stakeholders.


Group Development Director and Group Customer Insight


The Group Development Directorate was established during the course of 2015 to develop new business streams and create value by putting the customer at the centre of decision-making. Group Customer Insight provides support and expertise through predicting the value of business opportunities, in the formation and execution of customer strategy and measuring the business impact of activities.


Group Productivity Director The Directorate was established during the course of the year to develop a more productive Partnership, establishing more effective and efficient internal processes and structures.


Group Finance


Responsible for managing the financial risks of the Partnership, financial planning and strategy, plus financial reporting internally and externally. Also responsible for ensuring compliance with applicable tax laws, undertaking effective risk management of treasury operations and lead the Partnership’s policy on the evaluation and treatment of insurable risks.


Legal and Company Secretary Responsible for providing professional legal, governance and company secretarial advice to the business.


Personnel


Responsible for defining and shaping a distinctive and competitive employment proposition within a co-owned business, and setting a policy framework that meets the changing needs of the Partnership in the areas of employment, reward, talent, organisational development, safety and Corporate Social Responsibility. This includes Partnership Hotels, Leisure and Benefits providing a range of accessible, relevant and diverse benefits to Partners.


Property Services


Property Services advise, plan and manage all physical estate projects, including new stores, existing estate, offices and warehouses. The Directorate also maintains the estate and supports the delivery of businesses environmental objectives.


Registry


Encouraging Partners to play their role as co-owners and seeking to ensure the Partnership is true to its Principles and compassionate to Partners. This includes responsibility for all the Partnership’s formal democratic meetings, the Partnership Support helpline (supporting Partners to resolve both work and personal concerns) and providing the Partnership with both insight and assurance about Partner experience.


How does Group support


the business? The role of Group within the Partnership is to set policy and ensure that appropriate controls are in place to enable management and the Board to monitor their operation and provide assurance.


Group functions provide a range of professional services and specialist expertise to support operational activities and the Partnership as a whole.


Group functions provide:


a Assurance to Partners – governance, policy, financial reporting, journalism and communications, democratic assurance and internal audit


a Specialist expertise – customer insight, finance, personnel, legal, risk, property services and Registry


The Group Head of Branch is Paul de Laat whose duties include being the focal point for Group-wide matters.


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