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RNS Number : 2470O  Next PLC  09 January 2026

 

NEXT plc (the "Company" or "NEXT")

9 January 2026

 

The Company announces the following changes to its Board:

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BOARD CHANGE

Jane Shields, Group Sales, Marketing and HR Director, is planning to retire
from the Company in May of this year.  Jane will step down from the Board
with effect from 21 May 2026.  Jane will retire after 40 years of outstanding
service: Jane joined as sales assistant in 1985, was promoted to Sales
Director in 1999, Group Sales & Marketing Director in 2010 and, in that
capacity, was appointed to the Board in 2013.

Matt Barnes will be promoted to the role of Group Sales and Marketing Director
and will take on most of Jane's operational remit: E-Commerce, Brand
Marketing, Retail Stores and Online Customer Services.   Matt joined NEXT in
1999 and is currently Online Customer Service Director.   Matt will not be
joining the Board at this stage.

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BOARD CHANGES

Jonathan Bewes, Senior Independent Director and Chairman of the Audit
Committee, will retire from the Board following the AGM on 21 May 2026 having
served as a Board member for nine years.

Annette Court and Jeni Mundy will be appointed as independent non-executive
directors with effect from 1 March 2026 and 1 April 2026 respectively. Both
will become members of the Nomination, Audit and Remuneration committees.

Annette Court will be appointed as Senior Independent Director from 21 May
2026.

Soumen Das to be appointed as Audit Committee Chair from 21 May 2026.

BIOGRAPHIES OF NEW DIRECTORS

Annette Court

Annette is an experienced FTSE100 and FTSE250 chair and non-executive
director.  She has been chair of WH Smith plc since 2022 and Senior
Independent Director of Sage Group plc since 2024, having joined the board in
2019.  Annette was chair of Admiral Group plc until 2023.  In her executive
career, Annette was previously the CEO of Europe General Insurance for Zurich
Financial Services from 2007 to 2010 and the CEO of Direct Line Group
(formerly RBS Insurance) from 2001 to 2006.

Jeni Mundy

Jeni is a highly experienced technology executive who brings strong expertise
in digital, innovation, IT and commercial acumen to the NEXT Board.  She was
non-executive director and chair of the corporate responsibility committee at
Auto Trader plc from 2016 to 2025.  In her executive career, Jeni held senior
corporate roles at Visa Inc. from 2018 to 2025 and Vodafone plc from 1994 to
2017.

REMUNERATION ARRANGEMENTS

As a retiree, Jane will be treated as a good leaver in accordance with the
Directors' Remuneration Policy, the scheme rules and her service contract.
Additional details will be set out in the section 430(2B) disclosure that will
be made available on the Company's website following her departure from the
Board and will also be set out in the Directors' Remuneration Report.

 

Other than as set out in this announcement the Board confirms that no other
disclosures need to be made under Listing Rule 6.4.8R in respect of the
appointments.

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