Dunelm chief executive John Browett steps down
Homewares retailer Dunelm has announced that its chief executive John Browett will be stepping down due to “personal reasons”.
Browett will be leaving the business with immediate effect.
In a statement, Dunelm said it had made good progress over the last two years during Browett’s tenure but that the next phase of growth required “different leadership”.
Andy Harrison, Dunelm chairman, said: “I would like to thank John for his contribution to the business and the strategic progress made under his leadership, most notably the exciting acquisition of Worldstores.
“Dunelm remains the market leader in homewares and we have ambitious and profitable growth plans to continue building the UK’s biggest and best multi-channel homewares retailer. We have a strong executive team in place to make this happen, and the Board remains confident in the group’s future prospects.”
Dunelem has commenced a search for Browett’s successor. In the meantime, Harrison will provide interim executive leadership supported by Will Adderley, Dunelm’s deputy chairman, and Keith Down, its chief financial officer.
Browett said: “I am pleased to have led the development of Dunelm over the last few years and feel that we have achieved much in a challenging retail environment. It is, however, time to move onto a new challenge, and I am looking forward to the next chapter of my career.”
Due to announce its results for the financial year ended 1 July 2017 on 13 September, Dunelm said the figures will be in line with the trading update issued on 7 July.
It added: “Trading in the first two months of the new financial year has started positively, with an encouraging like-for-like sales performance.”
