Video: Apple was a learning curve, says John Browett

Speaking in the Retail Leadership panel discussion, Browett, who only took up his new role last week, said his time at Apple was “probably the best thing that happened to me”.

In October, Browett left Apple as its senior president of retail after less than six months. Previously, he was the boss of electricals retailer Dixons, which he is credited with turning around.

Browett said: “The issue was I just didn’t fit with the business.”

But he said the experience taught him to have greater humility and to be a “much kinder person”.

“It made things clear about how I am and what I am like to work with and it will make me much better at my job in the future,” he added.

Rob Templeman, deputy chairman of the BRC and former chief executive of Debenhams, said: “Leaders need confidence and humility. They need confidence in their plan but they also need humility in order to be able to adapt to that plan if necessary.”