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| Former BHS boss Darren Topp to lead fashion chain LK Bennett | |
| (8 days later) | |
| Darren Topp, the former boss of collapsed retailer BHS, has been appointed as chief executive of fashion chain LK Bennett. | Darren Topp, the former boss of collapsed retailer BHS, has been appointed as chief executive of fashion chain LK Bennett. |
| BHS collapsed in April, putting 11,000 out of work and 22,000 pensions at risk. Its demise has left its two pension schemes with a £571m black hole. | BHS collapsed in April, putting 11,000 out of work and 22,000 pensions at risk. Its demise has left its two pension schemes with a £571m black hole. |
| Mr Topp, former chief operating officer at BHS, endured a difficult time at the company as he attempted to keep the business afloat, following its sale by Sir Philip Green to the Dominic Chappell-led consortium Retail Acquisitions for £1 over a year ago. | Mr Topp, former chief operating officer at BHS, endured a difficult time at the company as he attempted to keep the business afloat, following its sale by Sir Philip Green to the Dominic Chappell-led consortium Retail Acquisitions for £1 over a year ago. |
| In June, Mr Topp told MPs how Mr Chappell threatened to kill him when he found out about a £1.5m payment Mr Chappell made from BHS to an unaffiliated company called BHS Sweden in April. | In June, Mr Topp told MPs how Mr Chappell threatened to kill him when he found out about a £1.5m payment Mr Chappell made from BHS to an unaffiliated company called BHS Sweden in April. |
| At LK Bennett, Mr Topp will replace Robert Bensoussan, who took over on an interim basis in 2014. He will remain at LK Bennett as a non-executive director. | At LK Bennett, Mr Topp will replace Robert Bensoussan, who took over on an interim basis in 2014. He will remain at LK Bennett as a non-executive director. |
| Mr Topp will be joined by Michael Hitchcock, former BHS financial consultant, who will take up the role of LK Bennett’s chief financial officer. | Mr Topp will be joined by Michael Hitchcock, former BHS financial consultant, who will take up the role of LK Bennett’s chief financial officer. |
| LK Bennett is a favourite with the Duchess of Cambridge, as well as the actresses Anna Paquin and Reese Witherspoon. | LK Bennett is a favourite with the Duchess of Cambridge, as well as the actresses Anna Paquin and Reese Witherspoon. |
| LK Bennett said Mr Topp has more than 30 years of retail experience at a senior level including Marks & Spencer and BHS. | LK Bennett said Mr Topp has more than 30 years of retail experience at a senior level including Marks & Spencer and BHS. |
| “Darren and Michael have an exceptionally strong retail background and will be instrumental in driving the business through its next stage of development,” Patrick Woodall, LK Bennett chairman said. | “Darren and Michael have an exceptionally strong retail background and will be instrumental in driving the business through its next stage of development,” Patrick Woodall, LK Bennett chairman said. |
| Mr Topp said he was delighted to join the company. “LK Bennett is a fantastic business and we look forward to building on and continuing,” he said. | Mr Topp said he was delighted to join the company. “LK Bennett is a fantastic business and we look forward to building on and continuing,” he said. |
| LK Bennett has 114 shops in the UK and Ireland as well as stores in the US and Middle East. | LK Bennett has 114 shops in the UK and Ireland as well as stores in the US and Middle East. |
| The last remaining BHS stores closed in August, ending 88 years of British retail history. | The last remaining BHS stores closed in August, ending 88 years of British retail history. |