Ted Baker global retail director Chris Browne exits

Browne is exiting the upmarket lifestyle and fashion business after 29 years.

Retail Week understands that Browne resigned yesterday and is currently on gardening leave.

Despite joining Ted Baker in its fledgling years, Browne does not sit on its executive board.

Sources close to the situation told Retail Week that his resignation was not wholly unexpected at Ted Baker’s head office.

Ted Baker declined to comment on Browne’s sudden departure.

Since beginning as a single shirting shop in Glasgow, Ted Baker has grown into one of the UK’s leading retailers, beating a troubled fashion market at every turn with its strong brand, distinctive product and innovative advertising.

Boss and founder Ray Kelvin is one of retail’s most distinctive chief executives and has been a pioneer of the trend for lifestyle-centric retail.

This has seen it out-manoeuvre a fashion market which has thrown other previously market-beating retailers such as New Look and Next off-course.

Ted Baker racked up £531m in sales last year. It recorded a 4.4% uplift in pre-tax profit to £61.3m for the year ending January 28, with sales growing across every channel and in all main markets.