Directorate

NEXT PLC
2 August 1999


Contacts:       David Jones, Chief Executive
                NEXT plc
Tel:            0116 286 6411

                Alistair Mackinnon-Musson
                Philip Dennis
                Square Mile Communications
Tel:            0171 601 1000


                       Managing Director of the NEXT Brand

The Board of NEXT Plc announces that, with immediate effect, Simon Wolfson has
been appointed to the new position of Managing Director of the NEXT Brand
reporting to the Chief Executive, David Jones. Mr Wolfson was appointed to the
main Board of NEXT Plc in March 1997, having begun his career with NEXT in
1991.

Commenting, Sir Brian Pitman, Chairman, said:

'The Board is very pleased to announce Simon's appointment. It recognises, not
only the success he has achieved so far, but also our determination to ensure
our continued success.'

David Jones, Chief Executive, added:

'Simon was appointed Retail Sales Director in 1993, and since then he has
successfully run all the main functions in both NEXT Retail and NEXT
Directory. This includes the Product and Merchandise areas, where he was
instrumental in sorting out the problems of Spring/Summer 1998. He has earned
his promotion and together we have developed a team that can continue to take
the NEXT Brand forward.'


Note to Editors:

Simon Wolfson - Biography

Born 1967 and educated at Radley College, Oxfordshire. In 1990 Simon graduated
from Trinity College, Cambridge in Law.

Career at NEXT Plc

            1991       Joined NEXT Plc as a Sales Consultant working at the   
                       Kensington branch

            1992       Assistant to the Chief Executive, David Jones

            1993       Appointed Retail Sales Director

            1996       Appointed Sales & Marketing Director with additional   
                       responsibility for NEXT's Home Shopping 

      March 1997       Appointed to the main Board of NEXT Plc with further   
                       additional responsibility for IT

   From Feb 1998        Assumed responsibility for all Product areas