Manchester-based online fashion and home goods retailer N Brown Group announced that Matt Davies will step down as chairman with effect from March 31, 2021, “to spend more time on his other business activities.”

N Brown has five brands — Simply Be, JD Williams, Ambrose Wilson, Jacamo and Home Essentials — and employs 2,000 people across the UK.

“The board would like to thank Matt for his contribution over the past three years and for guiding the business through a successful refinancing and transfer to AIM,” said N Brown.

Ron McMillan will relinquish his roles as senior independent director and audit committee chair of N Brown and will succeed Davies as chairman.

McMillan is currently audit committee chair and senior independent director of B&M European Value Retail SA and SCS Group Plc, and audit committee chair of Homeserve Plc.

Gill Barr will succeed McMillan as N Brown’s senior independent director.

On an interim basis, Vicky Mitchell will assume the audit committee chair role.

“Vicky chairs the financial services board and has been a member of the audit committee since January 2020,” said N Brown.

“A recruitment process is underway for an additional independent non-executive director who will become the permanent audit committee chair.

“Following these changes, and prior to the appointment of an additional independent non-executive director, the board will comprise the chair (who is independent on appointment), the group CEO and CFO and seven non-executive directors, five of whom are considered to be independent.”

The appointment of Ron McMillan is subject to FCA approval.