New Look gets new audit committee chief

Henry Staunton, the former finance director of ITV, is to join New Look, the fashion chain, as chairman of its audit committee.

The appointment comes as New Look prepares to float on the Stock Exchange.

Staunton is currently a non-exec at Ladbrokes, Legal & General, The Merchants Trust and Standard Bank. He was also FD at Granada Group and was chairman of Ashtead Group from 2001 to 2004.

He will be joined on the audit committee by Carolyn McCall, the chief executive of the Guardian Media Group, and Stella David, chief executive of William Grant & Sons, the whiskey distillers.

New Look's chairman is John Gildersleeve, who was appointed in January.

The company plans to float in March. In the last annual results New Look reported revenues of £1.3bn.

Chief executive Carl McPhail said in a statement: "The Board and I welcome John Gildersleeve to the group as non-executive chairman and Stella David, Carolyn McCall and Henry Staunton as non-executive directors. Their experience will be extremely valuable as the group continues to implement its strategy for growth and explores further opportunities."