EasyJet names John Barton as chairman

LONDON, April 17 (Reuters) - British airline easyJet on Wednesday named John Barton, the chairman of fashion retailerNext, as its next chairman.

The FTSE-100 low-cost airline said Barton would replace MikeRake on May 1, when Rake will step down from the role.

Barton, who is 68, has chaired Next since 2006 and is alsochairman of insurance group Catlin. He has also chairedBrit Insurance, Cable & Wireless Worldwide and Jardine LloydThompson.

EasyJet will hope that Barton can improve the airline'srelationship with its founder and largest shareholder SteliosHaji-Ioannou.

Stelios has called on easyJet's management to slow the paceof new aircraft deliveries and focus on improving shareholderreturns. He has threatened to reduce his stake in easyJet if itplaces a large order to expand its fleet soon.