// Ted Baker chair John Barton has died suddenly, the retailer reported.
// Senior independent director Helena Feltham will become interim chair with immediate effect
John Barton, Scots-born chairman of the fashion chain Ted Baker, has died suddenly, the retailer has reported.
Mr Barton was educated at Gordonstoun School and gained an MBA from the University of Strathclyde.
He recently stepped down as chairman of EasyJet after a tenure of almost nine years and was previously chairman of Next and Cable and Wireless.
He has also been senior independent director of WH Smith and SSP Group.
Ted Baker said in a statement that “it is with great sadness that the company has learnt of the sudden death of its chairman, John Barton”.
Ted Baker chief executive Rachel Osborne said: “John was a source of great wisdom for me and for so many of us at Ted Baker and we will hugely miss his support and guidance. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his wife, Anne, and their family.”
Ted Baker senior independent director Helena Feltham said on behalf of the board: “John combined a generosity of spirit with insight, humility and humour and we will all miss him. He led the board with great skill and it was a privilege to have worked with him. Our hearts go out to his family.”
Feltham will become interim chair with immediate effect.
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