Annual Report and Accounts 2015


John Lewis Partnership plc 103


Induction and training


During the year, the Committee reviewed and updated the induction programme for Executive, Non-Executive and Elected Directors. At the request of the Committee, a review of Director training and development to meet the needs of the Board tailored to meet the requirements of the three specific cohorts, Executive Directors, Non-Executive Directors and Elected Directors, was undertaken. In light of the two new Non-Executive Directors, Denis Hennequin and Keith Williams, joining the Partnership Board, the opportunity was also taken to review their induction into the Partnership. Induction training is provided internally and includes the Partnership’s governance mechanisms and meetings with all Directors and senior Partners who support the Partnership Board agenda. The training programme for Directors includes external training courses to support development and to gain external insight on topics covered by the Partnership Board.


Committee evaluation


During the year, the Committee undertook an internal evaluation of its own effectiveness facilitated through the “Thinking Board” on-line self-assessment tool provided by Independent Audit Limited and supported by interviews with the Committee members conducted by the Interim Director of Legal Services.


The key recommendations of the 2013/14 evaluation had been to review the role and responsibilities of the Committee, and the role of management that supports and provides assurance to the Committee, so that they are clearly defined and reflected within the Committee’s Terms of Reference. The Terms of Reference for the Committee were subsequently reviewed in light of this recommendation. As a result one of the key areas the 2014/15 evaluation was designed to assess was how effective this review had been. This year’s evaluation review concluded that the new Terms of Reference for the Committee provided greater clarity identified as being required in the previous years’ evaluation.


Other key results of the 2014/15 evaluation included agreement that the Committee had a healthy dynamic, where members are contributing and challenging freely and constructively. Meeting agendas were appropriate and that the right mix of skills, experience and diversity of perspectives exists on the Committee. One area for development and focus for improvement in 2015/16 was identified as continuing to look at the scope of information that the Committee receives to ensure reports presented to the Committee provide appropriate information to enable the Committee to fulfil its responsibilities.


The Committee concluded that it has acted in accordance with its Terms of Reference and is performing its duties to the Board effectively.


The new General Counsel and Company Secretary is reviewing the main themes arising from the evaluation and will make recommendations to the Partnership Board during the course of the year.


On behalf of the Chairman’s Nominations Committee


Comply or explain?


Composition and role of the Chairman’s Nominations Committee (continued)


The Chairman’s Nominations Committee oversees the process of nominating and appointing the Chairman. The Committee will, following consultation with the Chairman, inform the Board concerning the plans, and the process, for succession regarding the role of the Chairman of the Partnership. In accordance with the Constitution the Chairman is the Chairman of the Partnership Board, by virtue of his appointment as Chairman of John Lewis Partnership Trust Limited. He nominates his successor in accordance with the Articles of Association of John Lewis Partnership Trust Limited.


The Chairman’s Nominations Committee, led by the Chairman, oversees the process for Partnership Board appointments and makes recommendations to the Partnership Board.


The Chairman’s Nominations Committee takes no part in the appointment of the Elected Directors, which is led by the Partnership Council.


The Partnership has voluntarily adopted the UK Corporate Governance Code on a comply or explain basis. For more information: Go to page 84,


Sir Charlie Mayfield Chairman and Chairman of the Chairman’s Nominations Committee


Introduction


Partnership difference


Principles


Strategy


Performance


Governance


Financial statements


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125  |  Page 126  |  Page 127  |  Page 128  |  Page 129  |  Page 130  |  Page 131  |  Page 132  |  Page 133  |  Page 134  |  Page 135  |  Page 136  |  Page 137  |  Page 138  |  Page 139  |  Page 140  |  Page 141  |  Page 142  |  Page 143  |  Page 144  |  Page 145  |  Page 146  |  Page 147  |  Page 148  |  Page 149  |  Page 150  |  Page 151  |  Page 152  |  Page 153  |  Page 154  |  Page 155  |  Page 156  |  Page 157  |  Page 158  |  Page 159  |  Page 160  |  Page 161  |  Page 162  |  Page 163  |  Page 164  |  Page 165  |  Page 166  |  Page 167  |  Page 168  |  Page 169  |  Page 170  |  Page 171  |  Page 172  |  Page 173  |  Page 174  |  Page 175  |  Page 176  |  Page 177  |  Page 178  |  Page 179  |  Page 180  |  Page 181  |  Page 182  |  Page 183  |  Page 184