Waitrose MD James Bailey will step down from his role later this year, the supermarket announced today. 

Bailey joined Waitrose in 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic and steered the business through the lockdowns and subsequent cost-of-living crisis. 

The team has not yet found a successor but is actively looking. Tina Mitchell, who currently holds the position of retail director, will take up the role on an interim basis as of 30 September. 

On the change, Jason Tarry, chairman of the Partnership, said: “James has done an outstanding job, overseeing significant transformation and growth during a period of change. He’s a great colleague and has been a highly valued member of the Executive Team.  We will be sad to see James go but understand and respect his decision to step down after five and a half years at the helm. James will leave Waitrose in a much stronger position and I know will be missed by everyone.” 

Bailey added: “It’s been a great privilege to lead this unique and special business and most especially to get to know all the Partners who make it what it is. I’m very proud of everything we’ve achieved together; it’s been a lot of hard work but very rewarding and I’m so happy now to see the business thriving.” 

The current MD continued that Waitrose is on strong footing with record customer numbers and strong sales growth. He said it felt like the right time to hand over the reins.