Ted Baker chair John Barton has died suddenly, the retailer reported. 

Barton, also a former chair of fashion giant Next, took up his role at Ted Baker as the Covid pandemic began to pile pressure on the industry last year, and as the retailer was in the midst of a turnaround programme led by chief executive Rachel Osborne.

Ted Baker said in a statement that “it is with great sadness that the company has learnt of the sudden death of its chairman, John Barton”.

Osborne said: “John was a source of great wisdom for me and for so many of us at Ted Baker and we will hugely miss his support and guidance. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his wife, Anne, and their family.”

Ted Baker senior independent director Helena Feltham said on behalf of the board: “John combined a generosity of spirit with insight, humility and humour and we will all miss him. He led the board with great skill and it was a privilege to have worked with him. Our hearts go out to his family.”

Feltham will become interim chair with immediate effect.

 

Topics