FTSE250 veteran hired as DFS chairman

The current chairman of bakery chain Greggs and FTSE250 veteran Ian Durant has been hired at Doncaster-based DFS Furniture.

He will take over as chairman of the business from 2 May 2017.

Durant is also currently chairman of Capital and Counties Properties, and over a 35-year career has held non-executive directorships at Home Retail Group, where he was chairman of the audit and risk committee, and Greene King plc, where he was chairman of the audit committee and senior independent director.

A qualified chartered accountant, Durant has held senior executive financial positions at a broad range of FTSE250 companies, with notable roles including finance director at Liberty International plc and group finance director at Thistle Hotels plc.

He takes on the vacant position following the departure of Richard Baker last December, who left to take up a role at the British Retail Consortium after seven years at the furniture retailer.

DFS chief executive officer Ian Filby said: “I am delighted to welcome Ian to the DFS Board as Chairman. His wealth of relevant experience will help drive us forward and continue the progression from being a great British business to a world-class business.

“We would also like to reiterate our sincere thanks to Richard Baker, for his outstanding service as a director and chairman, and wish him all the best for the future.”

Ian Durant said: “I have long respected DFS and its success over the past few years. I look forward to joining as Chairman and working with the team to maximise the clear opportunities for the Group’s further progress.”

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