The Lord Price | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Minister of State for Trade and Investment | |
| In office 4 April 2016 – 28 September 2017 | |
| Prime Minister | David Cameron Theresa May |
| Preceded by | The Lord Maude of Horsham |
| Succeeded by | The Baroness Fairhead |
| Member of the House of Lords | |
| Life peerage 21 March 2016 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1961-03-02)2 March 1961 (age 64) |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Spouse | Judith Bolt |
| Children | Two |
| Residence | Sturminster Newton |
| Alma mater | London Business School Lancaster University |
| Occupation | Businessman |
Mark Ian Price, Baron PriceCVO (born 2 March 1961) is a British businessman, Founder of WorkL for Business and WorkL, Chairman of Fair Trade UK, writer, President of the Chartered Management Institute and member of the House of Lords. He was a former Managing Director ofWaitrose, and Deputy Chairman of theJohn Lewis Partnership.[1][2][3][4][5] He joined theConservativegovernment as theMinister of State for Trade and Investment in April 2016.[6]
On 3 September 2017 it was announced that Price wouldleave the government; on 28 SeptemberRona Fairhead was appointed to succeed him.[7][8]
Price was born and grew up inCrewe,England.[1][3] His father was acorner shop owner, later awholesaler, and anevangelical preacher.[1][4] He attendedCrewe County Grammar School for Boys.
In 1982 Price graduated fromLancaster University with a 2:1BA degree inArchaeology.[1][3]
In 1984 Price married Judith Bolt atChristchurch Priory inDorset.
He started his career at theJohn Lewis Partnership as a graduate trainee in 1982,[1][3][4][9] before progressing to becomeJohn Lewis store manager inHigh Wycombe andCheadle.[2][3][9] In 2005, he joined the John Lewis Partnership Board taking on responsibility for strategy as Development Director. In April 2007, the then Managing Director Steven Esom left the Partnership, and Price was appointed as his replacement.[1][2][3] At the time Waitrose had 183 stores, and within six years this number had increased to 300.
In 2013 it was announced that in addition to his position at Waitrose he would become Deputy Chairman of theJohn Lewis Partnership, replacing David Barclay who had held the position since 2006.[10]
In October 2015 Price announced he was to leave the John Lewis Partnership in April 2016 after 10 years fulfilling the role of Managing Director of Waitrose.[11] Suggestions had been made saying that Mark may apply for the chairman position ofChannel 4.[11][12]
In February 2016 it was announced that Price would become the newMinister of State for Trade, after the resignation ofLord Maude of Horsham, and that he would be made alife peer.[6] On 29 February, he was createdLord Price, of Sturminster Newton in the County of Dorset.[13] He left the Government in September 2017.
Since 2018 Price has been on the Council at Lancaster University and Chair of Fairtrade UK[1].
Price has sat on Coca-Cola Europe's board since 2019.
Price became President of the Chartered Management Institute in September 2020.
In October 2017, Price founded Engaging Business[14] and WorkL,[15] digital platforms designed to make the world a little happier and help businesses increase employee retention by measuring, tracking and improving organisations' workplace happiness; it offers happiness surveys and career development opportunities for individuals and businesses.
Price has served as Chairman ofBusiness in the Community since 2011 and The Prince's Countryside Fund since 2010.[1][9][16] He sits on the Board of Directors ofChannel 4 and theConsumer Goods Forum.[2][16] He was appointedCommander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) in the 2014 New Year Honours for his work with Business in the Community and The Prince's Countryside Fund.[17][18] Price is also a Life Patron atGroceryAid.[19]
Price has written a number of books on employee engagement including 'Six Steps to Workplace Happiness' and 'Fairness for All'. Price has written a book to help children learn to play chess called The Foolish King. The Foolish King[20] website helps children learn how to play chess in a fun and exciting way.
In 1991 Price married Judith Bolt in theLondon Borough of Richmond upon Thames. They live inSturminster Newton with their two daughters.[2][3]
| Business positions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Steven Esom | Managing Director ofWaitrose 2007–2016 | Succeeded by Incumbent |
| Preceded by David Barclay | Non-Executive Deputy Chairman of theJohn Lewis Partnership 2013–2016 | Succeeded by Incumbent |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Minister of State for Trade and Investment 2016–2017 | Succeeded by |
| Orders of precedence in the United Kingdom | ||
| Preceded by | Gentlemen Baron Price | Followed by |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
