Laura Ashley Holdings plc announced that Katharine Poulter, current Chief Operating Officer of the Company, will be appointed as Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect. Ms. Poulter has 25 years of retail experience with companies including Marks and Spencer plc, Home Retail Group plc, Kingfisher plc, Habitat Limited and Wilko Brands Ltd. Since joining as COO earlier this year, she has spearheaded a strategic review of the business. Ms. Poulter succeeds Mr. Kwan Cheong Ng, who will retire as Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

Mr. Ng will remain as Executive Director until 30 April 2020, after which time he will become a Non-Executive Director of the Board.