Next Plc
NXT:LN
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Overview
Company Profile
Next is a relative newcomer to the UK retail market, having opened its first womenswear store in 1982. Within five months the group had 70 outlets open. In 1986 the group acquired mail order company Grattan and two years later launched its own directory business. With over 300 shops the group generates about three quarters of its revenue from its retail outlets. Almost all of the rest comes from its directory arm.
Classification
Sector Consumer Discretionary
Industry Retail - Discretionary
Subindustry Apparel Retail & Accessories
Financials
News & Media
Corporate
Board of Directors
John Barton
Chairman of the board
Became a member of the Board in 2002 and was appointed Deputy Chairman in 2004 and Chairman in 2006. He is also Chairman of easyJet plc and a non-executive director of SSP. John previously served as Chief Executive of JIB Group plc, Chairman of Cable and Wireless Worldwide plc, Catlin Group Limited, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group plc, Wellington Underwriting plc and Brit Insurance Holdings plc and as a non-executive director of WH Smith plc and Hammerson plc.
Lord Wolfson of Aspley Guise
Chief Executive
Joined the Group in 1991. Appointed Retail Sales Director in 1993, became responsible for NEXT Directory in 1995 and was appointed to the Board in 1997 with additional responsibilities for systems. Appointed Managing Director of the NEXT Brand in 1999 and Chief Executive in 2001.
Amanda James
Group Finance Director
Joined the Group in 1995, and has led the management accounting and commercial finance teams since 2005. In 2009 Amanda was appointed Commercial Finance Director and was promoted to NEXT Brand Finance Director in 2012. Amanda has comprehensive knowledge of NEXT\'s operations and has played a central role in the financial management of the busines
Michael Law
Group Operations Director
Joined the Group in 1995 as Call Centre Manager for the NEXT Directory. Michael was appointed Call Centre Director in 2003 and in 2006 took responsibility for Group IT. In 2010 he was appointed Group Operations Director, adding Warehousing and Logistics to his portfolio. Michael is now responsible for all Systems, Warehousing, Logistics and Call Centres within the Group and was appointed to the Board in 2013.
Jane Shields
Group Sales and Marketing Director
Joined NEXT Retail in 1985 as a Sales Assistant in one of our London stores. Jane worked her way through Store Management to be appointed Sales Director in 2000, responsible for all store operations and training. In 2006 Jane took additional responsibility for Retail Marketing and in 2010 was appointed Group Sales and Marketing Director, adding Directory and online marketing to her portfolio. She was appointed to the Board in 2013.
Francis Salway
Senior Independent Director
Became a member of the Board in June 2010. He is also Chairman of Town & Country Housing Group, Chairman of the Property Advisory Group for Transport for London and a non-executive director of Cadogan Group Limited. Formerly Chief Executive of Land Securities Group plc and past president of the British Property Federation.
Caroline Goodall
Non Executive director
Became a member of the Board in January 2013. Caroline is currently an independent non-executive on the Partnership Board of the accountancy firm Grant Thornton UK LLP and a Trustee of the National Trust and a member of its Council. She was a non-executive director of SVG Capital plc, a FTSE 250 listed private equity investor, from 2010 to October 2014. Prior to that, Caroline had over thirty years\' experience in corporate finance and was a corporate finance partner at the international law firm Herbert Smith including five years as Head of the Global Corporate Division.
Dame Dianne Thompson
Non Executive director
Joined the Board in January 2015. Dianne has significant senior management experience including fourteen years as Chief Executive Officer of Camelot Group. During her 42 year career, she has worked in marketing for several retail companies. More recently she was Chairman of RadioCentre and a non-executive director of the Home Office. She is currently President of the Market Research Society.