Dunelm Group, one of the UK's leading homewares retailers has announced that John Browett will be stepping down as chief executive for personal reasons, with immediate effect. Dunelm has made good progress over the last two years during John's tenure, however the next phase of growth requires different leadership.
Andy Harrison, chairman, says: "I would like to thank John for his contribution to the business and the strategic progress made under his leadership, most notably the exciting acquisition of Worldstores.
"We will immediately start a search for John's replacement and, in the meantime, I will provide interim executive leadership, supported by Will Adderley, our deputy chairman, and Keith Down, our CFO.
"Dunelm remains the market leader in homewares and we have ambitious and profitable growth plans to continue building the UK's biggest and best multi-channel homewares retailer. We have a strong executive team in place to make this happen, and the Board remains confident in the Group's future prospects."
John Browett says: "I am pleased to have led the development of Dunelm over the last few years and feel that we have achieved much in a challenging retail environment. It is, however, time to move onto a new challenge, and I am looking forward to the next chapter of my career."
The Group will announce results for the financial year ended 1st July 2017 on 13th September, which will be in line with the trading update issued on 7th July. Trading in the first two months of the new financial year has started positively, with an encouraging like-for-like sales performance.
