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John Lewis Partnership
Tarique’s Story
Partner & Information Security Manager
Hello, I’m Tarique and I lead the Cyber Security Operations team for the Partnership. Today, I’ll contribute to our South Asian Heritage Month celebrations by sharing my insight into why the Partnership is such a great place to work!
I was initially attracted to the Partnership because of its brand, reputation, and wide range of opportunities. I was a military reservist at the time and became aware of how the Partnership supported service personnel through its internal network. I remember seeing the job post and thinking too many people would apply – fortunately, my optimism compelled me to submit my application and here I am, posting about it three years later.
To celebrate South Asian Heritage Month, we’re planning an extended family gathering which will involve Asian-inspired food, music, and traditional clothing – which is always the best part for my kids.
Cyber security brings a whole new meaning to the term “fast-paced environment”. The thing I love about my role is that I help lead defensive strategies to protect our business, underpinned by novel problems which need solving.
We are a diverse team across culture, skills, experience, and career backgrounds – I learn something new every day! We’ve had tremendous success attracting colleagues from different parts of the business to bring fresh perspectives into cyber, something that I’d love to see continue.
The highlights of my career include my promotion, development through a leadership programme, building a high-performing team, and most recently representing our area at Our Partnership Awards in Odney!
I thoroughly enjoy the perks of being a Partner; I’ve attended live performances from famous South Asian singers including Arijit Singh, from our corporate seats in Wembley arena. I’ve also enjoyed taking out one of the Partnership’s yachts, Deborah Anne (pictured right).

The advice I’d give if to anyone considering a role in Cyber Security:
- Passion – People thrive when they’re doing something they really enjoy. Research the cyber security domains to understand where your strengths and interests converge, and start to build a roadmap to your desired role.
- Network – Socialise and learn from others who are already in the role you wish to do. This will help you gain a balanced understanding of the profession and lead to an informed decision.
- Action – Take action, even if it’s little and often. Progress is often invisible at first, but over time your efforts will compound so have faith in the process.