19th Oct 2005 14:20
Next PLC19 October 2005 Date: Immediate, Wednesday 19 October 2005 Contacts: Simon Wolfson, Chief Executive David Keens, Group Finance Director NEXT PLC Tel: 08454 567 777 Alistair Mackinnon-Musson Philip Dennis Hudson Sandler Tel: 020 7796 4133 Email: [email protected] NEXT PLC Board Changes Ahead of its usual October investor meetings, NEXT plc announces the intentionof David Jones (62) to retire as Chairman following the company's AGM in May2006. John Barton (61), currently Deputy Chairman, has been nominated to succeedDavid as Chairman and will work with David over the next six months to ensure asmooth handover. John was appointed to the NEXT plc Board in 2002 and was appointed DeputyChairman in 2004. John was Chief Executive of JIB Group Plc for thirteen yearsand Chairman of Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group Plc for five years. He is alsoChairman of Wellington Underwriting Plc and a Non-Executive director ofHammerson Plc and WH Smith Plc. Simon Wolfson, Chief Executive, said: "David has worked for NEXT for nearly twenty years and taken it from the brinkof bankruptcy in the early 1990's into the FTSE 100. His blend of common sense,financial prudence and personal warmth has been an inspiration to all of thosewho have worked with him. His achievements have been all the more remarkable,given the ever increasing physical burden of Parkinson's disease." David Jones, Chairman, said: "I will not say too much about my time at NEXT, as those who are interested canread my book! Suffice it to say it has been a privilege to lead the company andwork with people for whom I have enormous affection. I am confident I willleave the company in good hands - the combination of Simon's energy andintelligence with John's wisdom and experience will provide the company withexcellent leadership." -ENDS- This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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