Former River Island and The White Company chief exec Will Kernan has been appointed chairman at interiors retailer Neptune.

In addition to three years at River Island and half a decade as The White Company’s chief exec, Kernan also spent two years at online sportswear specialist Wiggle Chain Reaction Group as its chief executive officer. He currently serves as chairman at luxury biscuit brand Biscuiteers, a role he will continue while serving as chair of Neptune.

Kernan will work closely with Neptune boss Aalish Yorke-Long, with the chief exec commenting: “We are thrilled that Will is bringing his skills as a retail leader to Neptune. His extensive knowledge of the luxury and retail sectors will provide invaluable support to our senior team as we build and execute our strategies to drive the brand forward at a very exciting time in its history.”

Kernan said: “It is a privilege to be joining this iconic British design brand as chairman. Neptune is a unique proposition in the market thanks to its design expertise and high-quality manufacturing capabilities, its extensive retail network and deep brand awareness. I look forward to building on these strong foundations and working with Aalish and her team to move the brand forward.”

This is the latest high-profile appointment for Neptune’s leadership team under Yorke-Long after her appointment in November 2022. The revamped team includes former executives from Soho Home, Made.com, Aesop and Meta. The company said that the new-look team will “draw on experience from across the luxury retail and high-end interiors sectors to reinvigorate the Neptune brand and help it step forward into a new phase of growth.”

The company currently operates 27 stores in the UK, with a further five in Europe.

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