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Table 6.1.1 Laura Ashley – Board of Directors, 1985/86Bernard Ashley, Chairman: Co-founder of the business and husband of the late Laura
Ashley. Worked in the City of London from 1947 to 1953, then became the driving force
behind the business. Joint Managing Director with John James from 1976 to 1988.John James, Group Managing Director: Chartered Accountant who joined the group
in 1974 as Financial Controller and Company Secretary. Previously worked with Unilever
Plc and Fitch Lovell Plc, where he was a divisional finance director. Appointed Joint
Managing Director with Bernard Ashley in 1976. (Became Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive
in January 1988; resigned 25 August 1990.)Adam Lofthouse, Managing Director – Production Division: Joined the group in
1984 with previous experience as a divisional director with Courtaulds Plc and with Coats
Patons Plc, where he was Managing Director of a number of operating subsidiaries.
(Resigned 30 September 1989.)Peter Phillips, Group Finance Director; Managing Director – Group Services:
Chartered Accountant who joined the group in 1982, with previous experience with The
Marley Tile Company, RCA Corporation, Celanese Corporation and The Plessey Company
Plc, where he was a divisional finance director. (Resigned to join Hepworth Plc, November
1988.)Peter Revers, President – Laura Ashley Inc.: Joined Laura Ashley in 1970 as Marketing
Manager. Responsible for the development of retail activities in the US, since opening its
first shop there in 1974. (Resigned 9 November 1990.)Alphons Schouten, Managing Director – Continental Europe Retail Division:
Joined the group in 1981 from the Bluebell Corporation, where he was a marketing direc-
tor. (Board notified of his imminent resignation 5 July 1994; resigned 1 February 1995.)Mike Smith, Managing Director – UK Retail Division: Joined the company in 1981,
appointed director of the UK Retail Division in March 1986. (Acquired responsibility for man-
ufacturing following the resignation of Adam Lofthouse in September 1989.Appointed Acting Chief
Executive following the resignation of John James in August 1990. Held the post until the appoint-
ment of Jim Maxmin on 16 September 1991. Resigned 28 September 1991.)John Winter, Deputy Group Managing Director; Managing Director – Design
Services: Joined Laura Ashley in 1984. Prior to this he was a partner in the management
consulting division of Deloitte Haskins & Sells. He had been advising the group since 1980.
(Resigned to join Coats Viyella 30 November 1987.)Lord Hooson, Non-executive Director: Lord Hooson is a barrister, called to the Bar
in 1949, becoming Queen’s Counsel in 1960. He was Liberal MP for Montgomery for 17
years before being created a life peer in 1979. He was first appointed to the board as a
Non-executive Director in 1985.