Ted Baker’s global retail director Chris Browne has stepped down from the upmarket fashion retailer after almost three decades with them.
The retailer confirmed that Browne — who has been with Ted Baker for 29 years — is now on a period of gardening leave after resigning last week.
Browne joined the Scottish retailer in its early years, when it was founded as a single shirting store in Glasgow in 1988.
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Ted Baker has been conducting a review of its organisational structure as it continues to expand, with the aim of ensuring it remains a leader in an increasingly digital and omnichannel market.
Chief executive and founder Ray Kelvin said: “Chris has been a member of our close knit family for many years and has helped us develop a world class retail business for which we thank him.”
However, according to sources in Retail Week and Drapers, Browne allegedly had a tense relationship with Kelvin, and his sudden resignation was not unexpected.
Ted Baker recorded £531 million in sales and a 4.4 per cent rise in pre-tax profit to £61.3 million in its last fiscal year, alongside a sales uptick of 14.3 per cent for the 19 weeks to June 10.
It also expects to post high single-digit growth for the current year, making it buck the downturn trend that other British retailers such as Next and New Look are experiencing.
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