The chairman of fashion retailer Next is set to step down in August after 11 years in the role.
John Barton, who became a member of the Next board in 2002 before being appointed deputy chairman in 2004 and then non-executive chairman in 2006, will be replaced by Michael Roney.
Roney, who left his role as Bunzl chief executive in April last year, has been appointed deputy chairman and chairman-designate of the high street chain with immediate effect and will take over from Barton once he resigns on August 1.
Roney, 62, is also the current chairman of Grafton Group.
Next said Barton, 72, made “an outstanding contribution” in the 15 years he has been on the board and “his leadership, experience and wise counsel have been tremendously valuable over that time”.
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