Technology

Posted on February 26, 2019 by staff

N Brown Group appoints CEO

Technology

Online retailer N Brown Group has appointed interim CEO Steve Johnson to the role on a permanent basis.

Johnson, previously CEO of financial services for the listed group, was appointed on an interim basis in September after Angela Spindler stepped down.

N Brown chairman Matt Davies said that he was the right person to take the company forward.

“Having conducted a thorough and extensive search process, the board is delighted to appoint Steve as CEO,” said Davies.

“As interim CEO he has shown the strategic thinking, pace, energy and focus which demonstrates that he is the best person to take the business forward.

“He brings a wealth of senior management experience across a number of large retail and financial services companies.”

In June N Brown – which runs Simply Be, Jacamo and JD Williams – announced it would close up to 20 physical stores, blaming falling high street footfall.

Over the Christmas trading period it suffered a 1.6 per cent fall in overall sales but enjoyed 6.4 per cent growth in online sales.

Johnson said: “I am both excited and honoured to be taking the permanent CEO role at N Brown.

“During the last six months I have had the opportunity to lead a passionate, talented and committed team.

“Together, we have made considerable operational and strategic progress which we look forward to building on.”

Johnson joined the company from Shop Direct Group in February 2016 and has also held senior roles at Sainsbury’s and Halifax.

It was revealed recently that N Brown is to benefit from a partnership between FinTech firm Aire and consumer credit reporting giant Experian.

The online retailer went through an initial proof of concept which enabled better decisions to be made on credit applications.