Next has announced several changes to its board, most notably the planned retirement of group sales, marketing and HR director Jane Shields, who will step down from the executive board and leave the company on 21st May, after 40 years of service.
Jane joined as sales assistant in 1985, was promoted to sales director in 1999, group sales and marketing director in 2010 and, in that capacity, was appointed to the board in 2013.
Matt Barnes will be promoted to the role of group sales and marketing director and will take on most of Jane's operational remit (ecommerce, brand marketing, retail stores and online customer services). Matt joined Next in 1999 and is currently its online customer service director. He will not be joining the board at this stage.
At a non-exec level, Jonathan Bewes, senior independent director and chairman of Next's audit committee, will retire following the May AGM, having served as a board member for nine years.
Annette Court and Jeni Mundy will be appointed as independent non-executive directors with effect from 1st March and 1st April respectively. Both will become members of the nomination, audit and remuneration committees. Annette will be appointed as senior independent director, and Soumen Das as audit committee chair, on 21st May.
