John Lewis Partnership describes its business model in its title, the employee-owned retailer is owned by a trust on behalf of its employees, the partners. As well as the well known John Lewis department stores its owns the Waitrose supermarket chain. It’s Britain’s third largest private company and has overtaken Marks & Spencer as the leading department store website. During the downturn the retailer has introduced value and essential ranges in its department stores and supermarkets respectively to attract a wider range of shoppers. It has also been on a building spree of new stores. IT Leader:Paul Coby , IT Director In role since:March 2011 Reporting line:Andy Street, Managing Director John Lewis Board level seat: Yes IT estate and or number of log on accounts under the control of the IT leader:legacy but fast modernising with new integrated platforms and tech led multi-channel innovation Level of the workforce that relies on technology to carry out their tasks:Every Partner in John Lewis relies to a greater or lesser extent on technology – we are a technology enabled business. IT management team and reporting structure: Two Heads of IT Delivery, Operations, Architecture, Relationships, Planning & Resourcing management Primary technology platforms at the organisation: Art Technology Group (ATG), PCMS retail management system, Red Prairie, Oracle, DB2, Primary technology suppliers:Deloitte, Oracle, Cognizant, Zensar, PCMS Strategic aim for next financial year:to become the leading multi-channel retailer in the UK Future transformation vision: seamless integration of all shopping and service channels: shops, online, mobile, call centres and social media. Read the CIO interview: John Lewis's IT director Paul Coby outlines IT strategy