Bonmarché has revealed that Asda’s Helen Connolly will be appointed chief executive on August 15, five months after her appointment was announced.

Connolly will succeed Beth Butterwick, who leaves the company on August 12 to ensure that a “smooth transition” takes place.

Butterwick will take up the position of chief executive at Karen Millen after Mike Shearwood decided to leave in September due to the abandonment of plans for a management buyout.

Connolly moves to Bonmarché from her role as buying director for Asda’s George clothing brand, having spent a total of 11 years at the supermarket chain in two different positions.

Previously, she was employed at Next, where she began her career in 1995 as head of sourcing for womenswear and girlswear for countries such as China, India and Sri Lanka.

Connolly also did a two-year stint at Dorothy Perkins, between 2006 and 2008 where she was head of buying.

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