DAVID JONES TO BE YORKSHIRE’S NEW PRESIDENT

David Jones, the current Chairman and former Chief Executive of Next plc, is to be Yorkshire’s next President in succession to Robin Smith.

Mr Jones’ nomination as President will be circulated to members with their AGM papers at the end of February 2004 and members’ vote on the matter will be announced at the AGM, which is to be held at Headingley on 27th March 2004. Mr Jones is the only candidate nominated.

David Jones’ career at Next has been one of spectacular progress. Starting with the company when it was a traditional clothing manufacturer and retailer, he directed it into a leading high street fashion house, which saw spectacular growth throughout his career. Today Next is a leading fashion name in the UK High Street.

Mr Jones relinquished his post as Chief Executive of the company when he became its Chairman. He is a Certified Accountant and Chartered Company Secretary and was awarded the CBE for his services to retailing and the community.

Mr Jones’ interest in cricket is life-long. Born in Worcestershire in 1943, he played cricket there as a schoolboy. He lives in Ilkley with his wife, Ann, and has three children and one grandson. Throughout his long career in Yorkshire he has supported the Yorkshire County Cricket Club to the full, and Next have been major supporters of the Club through sponsorship over many years. They remain the cricket clothing suppliers to the Club.

David Jones is a keen follower of rugby union, and plays golf. He is involved in extensive charitable work for The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, the Parkinsons Disease Society and the Healing Foundation.

Welcoming Mr Jones’ nomination the current President, Robin Smith, said, “David Jones will make a superb President of the Club. He has been unstintingly generous in his support of the Club over many years, and his ambitions for it mirror those of the Board. His leadership as President at a time when the Club is about to increase significantly the size of its business, and then to refinance, will be particularly valuable. I am confident that the members will enthusiastically endorse his nomination and that the new President and the Board will work productively together throughout the coming year”.

Robin Smith retires from the Presidency after four years, during which time he steered the Club through a financial crisis and to the reform of its constitution which resulted in the so called “gang of four” coming to power. Since then plans for the redevelopment of Headingley have been pushed through, and the acquisition of the freehold and the whole of the cricket business of Headingley are in the course of being realised. If these plans come to fruition, the Club will have achieved a goal, which has always eluded it throughout its history. Mr Smith will remain a member of the Board and the Club’s Chairman.