TJ Hughes chief executive Beatrice Lafon has been replaced after just three months in the role.

She has been succeeded by Bob Lister, a business associate of the retailer’s new owners.

Private equity house Endless and Anthony Solomon, since installed as executive chairman, acquired troubled TJ Hughes in March.

Solomon and business partner David Luper, who also joined the retailer’s board after the deal, have worked with Lister in the past including at Factory Shop Group, which they bought for £7m in 2002 and sold two years later to Barclays Private Equity for £40m.

The three also worked with Endless on the turnaround of The Works, the discount bookseller which they bought out of administration.

Lister said: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining TJ Hughes. The business has lost its way over the last year but has a great model and extraordinary potential.”

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