Greggs chairman Ian Durant has been appointed chairman of furniture business DFS.

Durant, who is also chairman of Capital and Counties Properties as well as Greggs, joins the DFS Furniture plc board from today (2 May).

"I have long respected DFS and its success over the past few years. I look forward to joining as chairman and working with the team to maximise the clear opportunities for the group’s further progress,” said Durant.

With a background in finance, Durant has more than 35 years’ experience in retail and logistics. He is a qualified chartered accountant and has held senior executive financial positions, including finance director at Liberty International and group finance director at Thistle Hotels.

Durant has also held non-executive directorships at Home Retail Group, where he chaired the audit and risk committee, and at Greene King where he was chairman of the audit committee and senior independent director.

DFS chief executive officer Ian Filby said he was delighted to welcome Durant to the DFS board.

“His wealth of relevant experience will help drive us forward and continue the progression from being a great British business to a world-class business,” he added.

Filby also thanked former DFS chairman Richard Baker for his “outstanding service”.