DFS appoints retail veteran of 35 years as its new chairman
DFS FURNITURE has appointed retail heavyweight Ian Durant as it new chairman.
Mr Durant, who is currently chairman of both Greggs and Capital and Counties Properties, will join the Doncaster-based sofa retailer on May 2.
The chairman’s position has been vacant since last December when Richard Baker left to join the British Retail Consortium.
Mr Durant has held non-executive directorships at Home Retail Group, where he was chairman of the audit and risk committee, and Greene King, where he was chairman of the audit committee and senior independent director.
He has over 35 years’ experience in retail and logistics. As a qualified chartered accountant, he has held senior executive financial positions at a range of FTSE 250 companies, including finance director at Liberty International and group finance director at Thistle Hotels.
DFS chief executive Ian Filby said: “Ian’s wealth of relevant experience will help drive us forward and continue the progression from being a great British business to a world-class business.
“We would also like to reiterate our sincere thanks to Richard Baker, for his outstanding service as a director and chairman.”
Mr Durant said: “I have long respected DFS and its success over the past few years. I look forward to joining as chairman and working with the team to maximise the clear opportunities for the group’s further progress.”