Next PLC announced the following changes to its Board: Jane Shields, Group Sales, Marketing and HR Director, is planning to retire from the Company in May 2026. Jane will step down from the Board with effect from May 21, 2026. 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.
Jonathan Bewes, Senior Independent Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee, will retire from the Board following the AGM on May 21, 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 March 1, 2026 and April 1, 2026 respectively. Both will become members of the Nomination, Audit and Remuneration committees.
Annette Court will be appointed as Senior Independent Director from May 21, 2026. Soumen Das to be appointed as Audit Committee Chair from May 21, 2026. 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 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.
