MR Niall Pelly, who resigned as finance director of Jones Group a year ago, received compensation of £99,000 for loss of office, according to the group's annual report. He also received a pension contribution of £50,000.

Mr Pelly was brought into Jones in 1990 by Mr Walter Connor who resigned as chief executive in November 1995 to "pursue a changed lifestyle".

Mr Chris Jones, a founding director and Mr Eamonn Rothwell are to resign from the board before the annual general meeting this month.

The chairman, Mr Denis Magee, had indicated his intention to retire from the board before the meeting and he will be succeeded by Mr Eugene Greene.