Dame Sharon White's five-year term as chair of John Lewis will be the shortest in the company's history by nearly a decade, after she announced she wouldn't stand for a second-term.
Each of her predecessors lasted at least 13 years before stepping down.
Dame Sharon became the first woman to lead John Lewis after taking on the role in February 2020, a month before the country entered its first lockdown.
A number of stores were closed down the following year, including the store in Aberdeen.
A turbulent term
Remaining department stores have continued to struggle since the pandemic.
Last year, John Lewis Partnership (JLP), who also own supermarket chain Waitrose, recorded a loss of £234million.
An annual staff bonus was scrapped earlier this year too, only the second time it's happened since 1953, the other in 2020.
JLP's losses have narrowed in 2023, recording a pre-tax loss of £59million for the first 26 weeks of the year until July 29.
Dame Sharon reportedly tried to change the historic 70-year employee-owned structure of the partnership by selling a stake to outside investors to raise money to invest in the partnership.
The move, which sparked anger from staff, was shelved within months.
The 56-year-old then survived a vote of no confidence from staff.
Plan for profit delayed
Last month, Dame Sharon said that JLP's plan to return to "sustainable" profit would take until 2028, two years later than planned.
Speaking following her decision not to seek re-election, Dame Sharon said: "Having led the partnership through the pandemic and the worst of the cost of living crisis, it is important that there is now a smooth and orderly succession process and handover.
"The partnership is making progress in its modernisation and transformation with improving results.
"There is a long road ahead and I am committed to handing on the strongest possible partnership to my successor."