Charlie Mayfield Explained

Charlie Mayfield
Birth Name:Andrew Charles Mayfield
Birth Date:1966 12, df=y
Nationality:British
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Serviceyears:1986–1991

Sir Andrew Charles Mayfield (born 25 December 1966) is a British businessman. He was Chairman of the John Lewis Partnership from 2007 to 2020, and was also Chairman of the UK Commission for Employment and Skills until its closure in March 2017. He previously served in the British Army as an officer.

Early life

Mayfield was born on 25 December 1966,[1] to Lieutenant-Colonel Richard Mayfield.[2] [3] He was educated at Radley College, a private boys school in Oxfordshire.[1] He followed in his father's footsteps and joined the military after leaving school rather than attending university.[4]

Career

Military career

Mayfield graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 1986, winning the Sword of Honour as the best cadet on his course. On 12 April 1986, he was commissioned into the Scots Guards, British Army, as a second lieutenant. He was given the service number 523391. On 12 April 1988, he was promoted to lieutenant. During his career he served in Northern Ireland amid The Troubles.[5] He was 19 when he was first posted there.[6]

He retired from the British Army on 30 September 1991.

Business career

In 1992, Mayfield graduated from the Cranfield School of Management with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree.[7]

He joined SmithKline Beecham as assistant product manager of Instant Horlicks.[8] He was later promoted to Marketing Manager for the Lucozade sports drink brand.[9]

In 1996, he joined McKinsey & Company as a management consultant.[1] During his time there, he worked with consumer and retail organisations.[10]

In 2000, he joined the John Lewis Partnership as head of business development.[11] He was appointed to the Board one year later as Development Director.[9] He was appointed managing director of John Lewis in 2005.[1] In 2007, he was appointed Deputy Chairman of the John Lewis Partnership.[12] In March 2007,[10] he became the fifth Chairman of the John Lewis Partnership.[1]

in November 2010, Mayfield was appointed to the UK Commission for Employment and Skills, a non-departmental public body, as Chairman.[10] This post dissolved in March 2017 with the closure of the Commission.

On 7 November 2018, Mayfield announced that he would be stepping down as Chairman of the John Lewis Partnership. He was succeeded by Sharon White at a meeting of the John Lewis Partnership Council on 4 February 2020.[13]

Honours

Mayfield received the General Service Medal with "Northern Ireland" clasp for his service during The Troubles on Operation Banner.

In the 2013 Birthday Honours, it was announced that Mayfield had been appointed a Knight Bachelor (Kt) for services to business. On 7 February 2014, he was knighted by Charles, Prince of Wales (on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II) during a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.[14]

On 17 July 2013, Mayfield was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of the University (D.Univ) by Loughborough University.[15] He was presented the honorary degree of Doctor of Science (D.Sc) by the University of Reading on 10 July 2014.[16]

Ribbon Description Notes
Knight Bachelor (Kt)
  • 2013
  • With Clasp "NORTHERN IRELAND"

Notes and References

  1. News: Interview: Charlie Mayfield, charirman, John Lewis Partnership. 22 August 2013. The Scotsman. 29 November 2009.
  2. News: Obituaries – Mayfield. 8 February 2014. The Old Radleian. 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20140222194647/http://www.radley.org.uk/userfiles/file/or/pdf/old%20radleian/2008/9%20obituaries%202008.pdf. 22 February 2014. dead.
  3. News: Lieutenant-Colonel Richard Mayfield. 8 February 2014. The Times. 19 December 2007.
  4. News: Business profile: Ex-Scots Guard who's first among equals. 8 February 2014. The Telegraph. 7 April 2007.
  5. Web site: On the couch with Charlie Mayfield, Chairman, The John Lewis Partnership. YSC. 8 February 2014. 1 January 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20140222062239/http://www.ysc.com/our-thinking/article/on-the-couch-with-charlie-mayfield-chairman-the-john-lewis-partnership. 22 February 2014. dead.
  6. News: Crow. David. Patron saint of retailers says co-ops won't work for everyone. 8 February 2014. City A.M.. 30 January 2012.
  7. Web site: Knighthood for Charlie Mayfield (MBA 1992). Cranfield School of Management. 22 August 2013.
  8. News: Felsted. Andrea. Symbol of a model of ownership. 8 February 2014. Financial Times. 2 September 2012.
  9. Web site: Chairman. John Lewis Partnership. 22 August 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130825095857/http://www.johnlewispartnership.co.uk/about/the-partnership/governing-authorities/chairman.html. 25 August 2013. dead.
  10. Web site: Charlie Mayfield. Leadership team. UK Commission for Employment and Skills. 22 August 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140102192012/http://www.ukces.org.uk/about-us/leadership-team/charlie-mayfield. 2 January 2014. dead.
  11. Web site: Lanyon. Daniel. John Lewis Partnership chairman Charlie Mayfield knighted. The Grocer. 22 August 2013. 22 June 2013.
  12. Web site: Sir Charlie Mayfield. People of Today Online. Debrett's. 22 August 2013.
  13. News: John Lewis chairman Mayfield to step down. 7 November 2018. BBC News. 15 December 2018.
  14. News: Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood. 3 January 2016. The London Gazette. 60966. 19 August 2014. 16222.
  15. Web site: Chairman of John Lewis awarded honorary degree by Loughborough. https://archive.today/20130822164938/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=8575282&privcapId=874389. dead. 22 August 2013. Latest news from Loughborough University. Loughborough University. 22 August 2013. 19 July 2013.
  16. Web site: Chairman of John Lewis Partnership awarded Honorary Degree. News & Events. University of Reading. 25 April 2015. 11 July 2014.