​French Connection announces new board appointments

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Mar 15, 2016

Two new directors are joining French Connection’s board this year, as the brand posted its annual losses increased nearly fivefold in fiscal 2015.

Lee Williams will take up the role of Group Finance Director, left vacant by Adam Castleton in July 2015. Having served as Director of Finance for Asos for the last 15 months, Williams has extensive experience in commercial and financial retail. The member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants was also previously CFO of Worldstores and Head of Financial Planning and Analysis at Brighthouse Group. He will join French Connection on 4 April.

French Connection also announced the appointment of Christos Angelides as Independent Non-Executive Director with immediate effect. Angelides spent the majority of his career at high street retailer Next, where he served in a number of senior management roles and as Group Product Director for the last 14 years. Most recently, Angelides was President of Abercrombie & Fitch USA.

Stephen Marks, Chairman, said: "I am delighted that Lee is joining us. He has extensive experience of working in senior finance roles at a number of retail businesses, but latterly with a specific focus in the digital environment.”

“We are also pleased that Christos is joining the French Connection Board. He brings substantial experience in fashion retailing in both the UK and USA and the Board will benefit from his knowledge and insight.”

Earlier on Tuesday, French Connection reported that its annual loss hit £4.7 million in the year to the end of January. Revenue was down 8%, while sales at established branches fell 6.4%.