Joules appoints Asda clothing boss as its chief executive

BRITISH fashion brand Joules has appointed Asda’s clothing boss Nick Jones as its new chief executive.

Jones, 46, has run Asda’s George clothing brand after he joined the company in 2011.

He has vast experience in the retail sector since joining the Marks & Spencer graduate scheme in 1995.

Jones will replace Colin Porter who has been working for the business since he joined the firm in 2010.

Jones was quoted by the Telegraph: “Long admired Joules for its distinctive brand” and shared the “board's view that there are tremendous growth opportunities ahead, driven, in particular, by further international expansion and online growth”.

Tom Joule started Joules three decades ago. He was selling socks and wellies before starting stores in towns which attract tourists.

In a major development, Joules floated in 2016 in a £140m listing.

Joules has 123 stores and runs its 50 per cent business through online. The brand is also planning for international expansion.