FRENCH, the parent company of Burnley-based Northern Textiles, has appointed 48-year-old James Barr as its finance director.

Mr Barr joins the company from the same position at house builders John Maunders Group. He is married and lives in Stoke although he will be based at French's Manchester head office.

It follows the appointment of Bill Gleave, founder of Northern Textiles, as French's chief executive.

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