N Brown has named Dene Jones as new group retail CEO

N Brown, which owns the likes of JD Williams, Simply Be and Jacamo, has named Dene Jones as its new group retail chief executive, succeeding Sarah Welsh after five years in the role.

Jones is expected to begin his new role on February 1, 2025, and will take charge of leading N Brown’s retail domain as well as the “continued evolution of a distinct brand proposition and unique product offering”.

Jones will be responsible for the product, trade and marketing arms of the business, as well as data analystics and data visualisation.

N Brown said that the expansion of the group chief executive role will “ensure clear accountability” for the retailer’s commercial activity and performance while also aligning its retail and financial services domains.

He joins the business with “extensive board-level experience” and has held a number of senior roles across businesses including Constellation Automotive Group, which owns We Buy Any Car and Cinch, as well as the Very Group and Flutter Entertainment among others.

Jones will report into N Brown’s interim chair and group chief executive Steve Johnson.

Jones said of his appointment: “I’m excited to be joining N Brown and look forward to working alongside Steve and the wider team to further advance the strategic transformation to deliver the Group’s commercial objectives.

“With a portfolio of distinct and inclusive brands, the Group has huge growth potential and I’m looking forward to leading the Retail domain.”

Johnson added: “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 omni-channel e-tailer.

“I’d like to thank Sarah for her passion and dedication to the Executive Board over the past five years. 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.”