N Brown chairman to leave, successor already lined up

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Feb 25, 2021

Online retail group N Brown said Thursday that its chairman Matt Davies is stepping down from his post at the end of next month in order to “spend more time on his other business activities”.

He’s been in the role for three years as the firm — which owns the Simply Be, JD Williams and Jacamo labels — has gone though a massive transformation programme. During this time it has rationalised its brand portfolio and closed stores to focus on digital. 

The board thanked him for his contribution during that period and for “guiding the business through a successful refinancing and transfer to AIM” after it moved from the London Stock Exchange’s main market.

The firm already has a successor in place with Ron McMillan to move from being senior independent director and audit committee chair to the group chairman’s role. McMillan is currently also audit committee chair and senior independent director of B&M European Value Retail SA and has board roles at SCS Group and Homeserve.

Gill Barr will succeed him as N Brown’s senior independent director.

Despite its digital strength, N Brown last month reported tough trading for fiscal Q3 but did say that sales were improving as it ramped up its gifting and home offer.