Simon Wolfson
Chief executive of Next plc
Simon Wolfson, Lord Wolfson of Aspley Guise, has been chief executive of the British fashion and home retailer Next plc since 2001. He became the youngest chief executive in the FTSE 100 and has steered Next into a business where online sales now exceed store sales.
| Role | Chief executive, Next plc |
|---|---|
| Since | August 2001 |
| Joined Next | 1991 |
| Title | Baron Wolfson of Aspley Guise (since 2010) |
| Born | 1967 |
| Nationality | British |
Who is Simon Wolfson?
Simon Wolfson is a British retail executive and the long serving chief executive of Next plc, the UK's largest clothing retailer by sales. Born in 1967, he was created a life peer as Baron Wolfson of Aspley Guise in June 2010. He is also the founder of the Wolfson Economics Prize, an award for economic policy ideas.
Career
Wolfson joined Next in 1991 as a sales assistant in its Kensington branch, moved to the head office as assistant to the chief executive in 1992 and later served as retail sales director. He joined the board in 1997 and became chief executive in August 2001, at the age of 33, which made him the youngest chief executive of a FTSE 100 company at the time. According to Next, he has "deep knowledge of all areas of the NEXT business".
Influence on the fashion business
Under Wolfson, Next has evolved from a high street chain into a multi channel retail and platform business. Its main activities include:
- Around 500 UK stores and a further international network
- Next Directory, the catalogue business that became its online platform
- Next International, selling to customers outside the UK
- Stakes in or ownership of brands such as Reiss, Joules, Lipsy, JoJo Maman Bébé, Made.com and Cath Kidston
- Partnerships with other retailers, including Gap's UK business
Next reported revenue of about 6.9 billion pounds for the financial year to January 2026, with online sales of around 3.9 billion pounds ahead of 3.0 billion pounds in stores. Wolfson is also known for detailed, plain spoken trading statements that are widely read as an indicator of UK consumer conditions.
Simon Wolfson and technology
Next's home shopping roots gave it a head start in e-commerce, and Wolfson has overseen the growth of Next Directory into its largest channel. The company has also used its warehousing, systems and online platform to serve third party brands, an approach that turns retail infrastructure into a service for other fashion businesses.
Why it matters
Wolfson is one of the longest serving chief executives in European retail. His tenure shows how a traditional store based fashion chain can rebuild itself around online sales, logistics and selective acquisitions, and his commentary on trading and the economy carries weight well beyond Next.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Simon Wolfson?
Simon Wolfson is the chief executive of Next plc, a role he has held since 2001. He is a Conservative life peer, Lord Wolfson of Aspley Guise, and founded the Wolfson Economics Prize.
What is Simon Wolfson known for?
He is known for leading Next for more than two decades and for turning it into a business where online sales exceed store sales. He has also expanded the group through brand acquisitions such as Reiss, Joules and Made.com.