John Lewis | Boss gets £1m payout as 14,000 furloughed

Ousted John Lewis boss, Paula Nickolds, was given an almost £1million payout as 14,000 staff members have been furloughed under the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – Metro reported.

According to John Lewis Partnership’s latest annual report, the firm paid the former managing director – who was ousted from the department store in January after 25 years of service – £939,773, despite numerous reports suggesting that she failed to improve trading performance at John Lewis.

The document stated: “Paula Nickolds ceased to be a Director of the Partnership Board and Managing Director, John Lewis on 23 January 2020 and will leave the Partnership on 31 July 2020 after a period of long leave.

“In connection with leaving the Partnership, she will be paid £939,773 in respect of her notice period, estimated contributions towards her legal fees and the provision of outplacement support.”