Comparable sales were up 2.1% and underlying operating profit for the group rose 2.3%. Despite the tough economic outlook, the company said it intended to open 50 pubs in the coming 12 months, a similar rate of openings to last year. The company also announced its long-standing senior non-executive director and deputy chairman John Herring would not stand for re-election next month. He is chairman of the audit committee and of nomination committee. According to Wetherspoon's annual report, his role also involves "monitoring the performance of the chairman, on behalf of the board". Asked about the departure, Martin, who controls 24% of shares, said he was not clear on the reasons. Last October, a month after Wetherspoons' annual shareholder meeting, Martin ousted two of the pub group's four executives in a move that appeared to signal he was reasserting his influence.