N Brown names new CEO, Johnson takes role permanently

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Feb 26, 2019

UK online retailer N Brown has named a permanent CEO after being run by an interim senior exec since its previous top manager stepped down last autumn. And the successful candidate is? Its interim CEO.

Steve Johnson now takes over as group chief executive officer with immediate effect having stepped up temporarily last September from his main role as CEO of financial services for the company.

It's an important vote of confidence in how he has run the firm in recent months as it deals with the same challenges that many of the UK fashion retailers are facing and as it exits physical retail in order to focus on its more successful digital operations.

Chairman Matt Davies said: "Having conducted a thorough and extensive search process, the board is delighted to appoint Steve as CEO. As Interim CEO he has shown the strategic thinking, pace, energy and focus which demonstrates that he is the best person to take the business forward. He brings a wealth of senior management experience across a number of large retail and financial services companies.”

Johnson has been with the company  for exactly three years having joined N Brown from Shop Direct where he was financial services marketing and product director. He has also held senior roles at Sainsbury’s.