Burberry appoints Gerry Murphy as chairman

Luxury fashion brand Burberry has appointed former Kingfisher and Greencore chief executive Gerry Murphy as its new chairman, as John Peace leaves the group after 16 years.

Murphy will start his new role on 17 May, succeeding Peace after the after the company’s annual shareholder meeting in July.

Murphy, who has served as a non-executive director of British American Tobacco, Merlin Entertainments and Reckitt Benckiser, is currently chairman of Tate & Lyle and The Blackstone Group International Partners.

John Peace said: "I would like to thank current and past board members for their partnership over the past 16 years and Jeremy Darroch for leading the process to find Burberry's next chairman. In Gerry Murphy, we have found a superb candidate with extensive experience in the consumer and retail industries. I am confident he is the right choice to lead the board as Burberry embarks on a new chapter."

Murphy said: "I am honoured to take up this role and to succeed Sir John as chairman. Burberry is a unique British brand that I have admired for a long time and I am looking forward to working with Marco Gobbetti and the board to guide the company through its next phase of growth."

At 1420 BST, the shares were up 1.4% at 1,742.50p.