Being a Partner at JLP

What makes the Partnership different is our shared values as co-owners and our purpose to building  a Happier World. Sharing their stories, Susanna and Claire tell us what it means to be a Partner and how they have developed in their roles.

Susanne, Partner and Forum Representative

I joined the Partnership 23 years ago, after having worked for 20 years since leaving school in my family run business of Wholesale Fruit Importers……so technically in my late 30’s this became my first job…in an “Employee” sense. 

I took on a part-time role in Food Service intending to stay 6 months or so and somehow I found the Partnership such a great fit, especially in terms of co-ownership and empowerment, that I am still here today.

3 years ago I took on the role as my branch’s Forum Representative and have thrown myself feet first into our Democracy and discovered it is my passion. I consider it to be an honour to represent 500 + Partners in the wider business community, so that their voice is heard at the highest level.  As a non management Partner and with the unwavering support of my Branch Manager, I have been involved with many projects, and exposed to different experiences beyond which I could ever have imagined, and I love the vibrancy of the role and the fact that no 2 working days are the same.

“If you are a person with a ‘can do’ attitude, the John Lewis Partnership is definitely a place where you can flourish.”

Claire, Partner and LGV Driver

During my apprenticeship I was able to help fulfil the Happier World purpose by delivering gifts and care packages to charities and people in need. 

In Christmas of 2019, Myself and another female transport apprentice were asked to help deliver Christmas presents to women and children at the women’s refuge. The presents had been donated and collected by a lot of partners across the business and it was really heartwarming to see so much generosity and to see how much it improved people’s Christmas.

“Today I’m still really proud of myself and everyone that helped to spread some joy over that festive period.”

Then in the pandemic when a lot of stores were closed, we were in lockdown and some partners were on furlough, many people were suffering with physical and mental illnesses and there wasn’t always a lot to look forward to or be happy about, I was lucky enough to be given a special opportunity that made me really excited and often tearful.

 The partnership wanted to show appreciation and acknowledgement for everything that our country’s NHS staff were doing to help keep us all healthy and safe, and putting the rest of the country before themselves when they too were struggling. As a business, we donated care packages full of everyday essentials and little treats to the staff of many hospitals and I was the partner that got to deliver them by hand and experience the joy it brought to them. 

“Being a Partner makes me happy and being an apprentice Partner helped me see behind the scenes of how the Partnership makes a Happier World for us all to live in. Without my apprenticeship, I wouldn’t have gotten those opportunities.”

At the John Lewis Partnership, we want every one of our Partners (employees) to find their happier way of working, like Susanne and Claire. Find out more about our purpose and the incredible benefits of being a Partner in the Partnership by exploring our careers website JLPjobs.com.