Laura Ashley named Kwan C Ng as company president. He will oversee licensing operations and business strategy for North and South America.

Ng replaces Lawrence Chai who retired at the end of September.

Before a stint at the helm of Crabtree and Evelyn, Ng was CEO of Laura Ashley Holdings in London where he developed an intimate understanding of the brand.

"His experience in the retail industry on a global scale will provide us with valuable direction as we continue to grow Laura Ashley's business in North America and expand into South America," said General Manager Penne Cairoli.

"The Laura Ashley team and U.S. licensees have made significant strides moving the brand forward, while staying true to its heritage," said Ng. "I plan to build on that momentum, providing insight for expanding our distribution and product offering."