Next chairman John Barton assumes role

Brit has appointed Next chairman John Barton as its chairman.

Yesterday, Brit reported six per cent growth in its gross written premiums to £528.2m over the first four months of the year - in line, it said, with expectations.

Along with rival Amlin, the company has recently threatened to redomicile outside the UK due to concerns over the nation's oppressive tax regime.

Last week, Next reported poor first quarter performance after sales at both its high street stores and its catalogue business fell. The company maintains that sales have picked up in the second quarter.