Alan Charlton new Group Finance Director at Austin Reed

Austin Reed Group PLC has announced the appointment of Alan Charlton as Group Finance Director with effect from 5 June 2006.

Alan Charlton, 44, has held a range of senior management positions in the retail sector. He joins from Arcadia Group Limited where since 2004 he was Group Commercial Director.  Prior to that from 2000 to 2004 he was Commercial and Finance Director of Burton and Dorothy Perkins. During his time with the Arcadia Group, and as it was previously known, the Burton Group he has also held a number of other senior financial roles in Debenhams, Top Shop/Top Man, and in Group functions.

The Group announced in May 2005 that Geoff Gibson had decided to leave the Group following nine years with Austin Reed. Geoff Gibson will step down as Group Finance Director with effect from 5 June 2006 and will resign as a director of the Company and leave the Group on 13 June 2006.