N Brown Group has announced the appointment of Dene Jones as its new Chief Executive Officer of Retail, effective 1 February. Jones will succeed Sarah Welsh, who is stepping down after five years in the role.
Upon assuming the position, Jones will also join the N Brown executive board. His mandate includes advancing the group’s brand proposition, retail strategy, and product portfolio across its labels, such as JD Williams and Simply Be.
In addition to overseeing product, trade, and marketing divisions, Jones will lead the data analytics and visualisation teams. This expanded remit reflects N Brown’s commitment to aligning its commercial activities with its financial services, ensuring cohesive performance and accountability.
Jones brings extensive experience to the role, having served as Group Chief Marketing Officer and Data Officer at Constellation Automotive Group, as well as CEO of one of its European subsidiaries. He has also held senior positions at Very Group and Flutter Entertainment.
Steve Johnson, Group CEO and Interim Chairman expressed confidence in Jones’s appointment, highlighting his expertise in driving innovation and fostering collaboration across departments.
“I’m delighted to welcome Dene to N Brown’s executive board. Dene joins us at an exciting time and brings proven expertise which will deliver greater clarity and strengthen accountability across our group-wide commercial activity as we continue our evolution into an omnichannel e-tailer,” said Johnson. “Sarah leaves the Retail domain in a strong position, having elevated the proposition and the unique product that we deliver for our customer, and I wish her all the very best for the future,” he added.
N Brown Group is a Manchester-based online retailer specialising in clothing, footwear, and homewares. Focused on meeting the needs of underserved customer groups, the company is listed on the London Stock Exchange.
N Brown Group has committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2040, aligning with the British Retail Consortium’s Climate Action Roadmap and collaborating with suppliers, government, and stakeholders to meet this ambitious target. A key part of this strategy is the use of sustainable materials, exemplified by their membership in the Better Cotton Initiative, through which 60% of the cotton used in their products now adheres to better farming practices, with plans for further improvement.
The company is also dedicated to fostering a circular economy as a signatory of Textiles 2030, pledging a 50% reduction in its carbon footprint and a 30% cut in water usage by 2030, while advancing circular design and business models to minimize waste and resource consumption.
