Directors stand down in New Look shake-up

They are the latest in a string of key changes at the retailer following the postponement of its £1.7bn IPO in February.

New Look said in a statement that Burrows and Thompson had left by mutual agreement “to pursue other interests” and it was in the process of reassigning their responsibilities.

It is understood that this means the two directors will not be replaced. “Their departures will have minimal, if any, impact on the business. We wish them both well for the future,” the statement said.

Burrows’ and Thompson’s departure came within weeks of the promotion of Will Kernan, former group managing director, to the role of chief operating officer in September.

Kernan is understood to have kicked off a restructure at the retailer following his appointment.

Burrows, who joined the retailer in 2003, reported in to chief financial officer Alastair Miller, while Thompson, who joined in 2008, answered to Kernan.

New Look head of menswear design Sean Ryan has also left the business. It follows the departure of head of menswear Steve Lawton in August, who joined rival Primark as a buying director. It is unclear where Ryan has gone to. According to sources, New Look is poised to outline plans for its menswear business in the coming weeks.

New Look, which was taken private six years ago for £800m by founder Tom Singh and buyout groups Apax Partners and Permira, is not expected to revisit a potential IPO before 2012 because ofpoor trading conditions on the high street.

In the year to March 27, underlying operating profits grew 17.7% to £163m. Total sales grew 10.7% for the year to £1.5bn with group like-for-like sales up 1.2%.