By Mark Kleinman, City Editor
John Barton, the chairman of fashion retailer Next, has emerged as a leading candidate to chair easyJet, the FTSE-100 low-cost airline.
I understand that Mr Barton is on a shortlist of contenders vying to replace Sir Mike Rake, who is due to step down from the role this summer and who will assume the presidency of the CBI, the business lobby group.
The board of easyJet has yet to make a decision about Sir Mike's successor and insiders said on Monday that at least one other person was still in the frame alongside Mr Barton.
"His is one of the names in the mix but it isn't the only one," said one insider.
A decision about easyJet's new chairman, which could come as soon as this week, will be significant because of the fractious relationship that Sir Mike and his predecessors have had with Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, the airline's founder and largest shareholder.
Sir Stelios has called on easyJet's management to slow the pace of new aircraft deliveries and focus on improving shareholder returns.
Many independent shareholders have, though, backed Sir Mike and Carolyn McCall, easyJet's chief executive, following a surge in profits and its share price, which have propelled the company into London's blue-chip index.
The easyJet founder has fought a long-running battle against Sir Mike, accusing him of having too many corporate roles and being complicit in the lavish pay culture at Barclays, where he is deputy chairman.
He has threatened to further reduce his stake in the airline if the company places a large order to expand its fleet in the coming months.
Among the other candidates to replace Sir Mike is Charles Gurassa, who already sits on easyJet's board as its deputy chairman and senior independent director. Archie Norman, the ITV chairman, has also been speculated in the City as a potentially popular choice for the job.
Mr Barton, who is 68, would probably be viewed by easyJet shareholders as a safe option to take on the role. He has chaired Next since 2006 and would be expected to hand over the reins at some point in the next couple of years.
He has also chaired companies including Brit Insurance, Cable & Wireless Worldwide and Jardine Lloyd Thompson.
An easyJet spokesman declined to comment.
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