End of the road for Blacks chief Gillis

Blacks Leisure chief executive Neil Gillis is to resign from the retailer and will step down in six months, it was announced yesterday.

Gillis, who has led the outdoor clothing firm for three years, said he was proud of what he had achieved after making some difficult decisions to "protect and strengthen" the business.

He added: "I have always seen my role with the company as a three-year period of intense activity and I believe that it is right for another individual to lead the business in the final phase of the turnaround programme."