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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Ex-BHS boss to lead retailer LK Bennett | Ex-BHS boss to lead retailer LK Bennett |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The former boss of collapsed retailer BHS will take over as chief executive of fashion chain LK Bennett. | The former boss of collapsed retailer BHS will take over as chief executive of fashion chain LK Bennett. |
| Darren Topp has been appointed to lead the business, which counts the Duchess of Cambridge among its customers. | Darren Topp has been appointed to lead the business, which counts the Duchess of Cambridge among its customers. |
| It also provided Theresa May with her signature leopard print kitten heels on her first day in Downing Street. | It also provided Theresa May with her signature leopard print kitten heels on her first day in Downing Street. |
| Mr Topp endured a difficult time at BHS as the department store disappeared from the High Street just over a year after being sold by Sir Philip Green. | Mr Topp endured a difficult time at BHS as the department store disappeared from the High Street just over a year after being sold by Sir Philip Green. |
| LK Bennett said Mr Topp was a "30-year veteran of British retail" who has also held senior positions at Marks and Spencer. | |
| He will be tasked with boosting sales at the premium womenswear brand as he replaces interim boss Robert Bensoussan. | He will be tasked with boosting sales at the premium womenswear brand as he replaces interim boss Robert Bensoussan. |
| LK Bennett, which has 114 shops in the UK and Ireland as well as stores in the US and Middle East, saw sales decline 1.8% to £93.6m last year. | LK Bennett, which has 114 shops in the UK and Ireland as well as stores in the US and Middle East, saw sales decline 1.8% to £93.6m last year. |
| Mr Topp said: "LK Bennett is a fantastic business and we look forward to building on and continuing Robert's strategy of developing LK Bennett as a premium accessible luxury brand." | Mr Topp said: "LK Bennett is a fantastic business and we look forward to building on and continuing Robert's strategy of developing LK Bennett as a premium accessible luxury brand." |
| He will be joined by his former BHS finance chief, Michael Hitchcock, who joins LK Bennett as chief financial officer. | He will be joined by his former BHS finance chief, Michael Hitchcock, who joins LK Bennett as chief financial officer. |
| The two repeatedly clashed with former BHS owner Dominic Chappell, who they blamed for the retailer going out of business. | The two repeatedly clashed with former BHS owner Dominic Chappell, who they blamed for the retailer going out of business. |
| In particular, Mr Topp said he challenged an attempt by Mr Chappell to transfer £1.5m of BHS money to a company owned by a friend of Mr Chappell. | In particular, Mr Topp said he challenged an attempt by Mr Chappell to transfer £1.5m of BHS money to a company owned by a friend of Mr Chappell. |