Ted Baker PLC (LSE:TED) announced that its chairman, John Barton, passed away suddenly.
The clothing chain said senior independent director Helena Feltman will assume the role of interim chairman with immediate effect.
Barton, a former chair of Next and Cable and Wireless plc and board member at WH Smith and SSP Group, joined the Ted Baker board as chair in July 2020.
Speaking on behalf of the board, Feltman said, "John combined a generosity of spirit with insight, humility and humour and we will all miss him. He led the Board with great skill, and it was a privilege to have worked with him. Our hearts go out to his family."
Chief executive Rachael Osborne said, "John was a source of great wisdom for me and for so many of us at Ted Baker and we will hugely miss his support and guidance. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his wife, Anne, and their family."