Baird lands Wolfson as chairman

STRUGGLING fashion group William Baird has named former Next Group and Great Universal Stores boss Lord Wolfson of Sunningdale as its new chairman. Wolfson will take over in the near future, current chairman Sir David Cooksey told shareholders at the annual meeting today.

He added: 'With Baird's activities concentrated in womenswear and active sportswear brands, Lord Wolfson's knowledge and experience will be invaluable to the group.'

Baird, which owns the Windsmoor, Precis Petit and Plant brands, has been struggling to recovery after the loss of a long-standing contract with Marks & Spencer.

Cooksey said that actions taken to improve on disappointing trading are taking effect, with an improving trend in womenswear.