British fashion chain head Ted Baker John Barton dies aged 77

December 6 (Reuters) – British fashion chain Ted Baker said on Monday that Chairman John Barton had died, and independent senior director Helena Feltham would take up the role of interim chairman soon.

In a brief statement, the London-listed retailer did not specify the cause of Barton’s death, but said it was sudden.

Barton, 77, joins Ted Baker https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ted-baker-chairman-idUSKCN2240W7
from airline easyJet in July last year, as the fashion group’s management attempted to revive its fortunes after suffering a series of setbacks in 2019.

He previously also served as chairman of rival fashion retailer Next Plc and senior independent director at WH Smith and the SSP Group.

Last month, Ted Baker said sales rebounded as office and party wear became popular again after pandemic restrictions were lifted, but hinted that the pace of recovery was uncertain.

Ted Baker has also been working to improve his image after former boss Ray Kelvin left in 2019 following misconduct allegations. Kelvin, who started the company in 1988 in Glasgow in Scotland, has denied the allegations.

The company has 377 shops and concessions.

(Reporting by Pushkala Aripaka in Bengaluru; Editing by Devika Syamnath)