FORMER Orange boss Hans Snook is to make a high-profile return to the telecoms industry as non-executive chairman of Carphone Warehouse.

Mr Snook quit Orange as chief executive in August 2000, but stayed with the mobile phone firm, which employs more than 5,000 in the North-East, in an advisory capacity until the end of last year. He will begin his new role on May 1, allowing founder Charles Dunstone to concentrate on his position as Carphone chief executive.

The announcement came as Carphone said pre-tax profits for the year to March 30 would be in line with expectations at between £45m and £50m. However, it also unveiled plans to close 89 of its least profitable stores in Europe - including about 30 in the UK.

Mr Snook, who was instrumental in the growth of Orange until stepping down to concentrate on alternative medicines, is expected to spend an average of four to five days a month working for Carphone.