Next has announced that John Barton has given notice to the Board of his intention to retire as non-executive Chairman and step down from the Board of Next on 1st August 2017.
John Barton, age 72, became a member of the Board in 2002. He was appointed deputy chairman in 2004 and chairman in 2006. John has made a significant contribution to the company over the last fifteen years and his leadership, experience and wise counsel have been valuable over that time. John leaves with the profound thanks of his colleagues.
The Nomination Committee, under the leadership of senior independent director Francis Salway, conducted a thorough search for a successor and Next and announces the appointment of Michael Roney as an independent non-executive director, deputy chairman and chairman designate with effect from 14th February 2017. Michael will succeed John Barton as chairman when he retires on 1st August 2017.
Michael Roney, age 62, has extensive business experience. He was chief executive of Bunzl, a FTSE 100 listed distribution and outsourcing business, from 2005 until his retirement in April 2016. He is currently chairman of Grafton Group and a non-executive director of Brown-Forman Corporation. Michael was also formerly a non-executive director of Johnson Matthey.
