Next group property director to retire

Next’s group property director Andrew Varley is to step

down from his position with the high street retailer next year after 27 years.

Varley will retire from Next in June next year, but will also step down from the board on May 31 this year.

In a statement Next said: “Andrew’s departure next year does not represent a change to the strategy of the business; the profitable expansion of our trading space remains a key part of the Group’s plans going forward.”

During his time at Next Varley has held numerous positions including managing director of retail, managing director of Directory and since 1991, he has held his current role of group property director. As head of property, Varley has helped the retailer increase its property portfolio from one million square feet to almost seven million.

The retailer also announced that Michael Law, group operations director, and Jane Shields, group sales and marketing director, will join the board as executive directors on July 1.