Former Shop Direct boss Mark Newton-Jones is to join Mothercare as interim chief executive.

Newton-Jones joins the retailer next Monday and will manage the troubled retailer as it searches for a permanent replacement for Simon Calver.

Newton-Jones was chief executive of Shop Direct, which operates Littlewoods and Very, for almost a decade. He left the retailer last July.

Prior to that he worked at Next, leading its Directory business.

Mothercare chairman Alan Parker said: “We are delighted to have secured the appointment of Mark as our interim chief executive. His leadership skills and depth of experience in retailing through stores and online will further enhance our drive to deliver the recovery of the UK business to complement the strong and growing international operations. We look forward to welcoming Mark to Mothercare on 17th March.” 

Newton-Jones said: “I’m very much looking forward to working alongside Alan, the board and the executive team of Mothercare, and to help in the transformation of the UK business whilst we continue to grow the successful international division.”