Former LK Bennett boss Darren Topp has been reappointed to the top job, following its acquisition by a Chinese partner.
Topp was previously chief executive of high street fashion brand from September 2016 to March 2018, and was reappointed after working with Rebecca Feng to help her buy the retailer out of administration, Drapers has reported.
Feng acquired LK Bennett’s UK, Ireland and wholesale business on April 12 through her company Byland UK.
Byland purchased LK Bennett’s headquarters, 21 of its stores and all of its concessions, saving 325 jobs. Fifteen stores were not included in the sale and 110 staff were made redundant as a result.
LK Bennett’s international arm was also not included in the purchase.
Topp replaces Erica Vilkauls, who was brought in from fashion retailer East to succeed him in 2018.
Prior to last working with LK Bennett, Topps was boss of BHS, which collapsed into administration in April 2016. He is also currently chair of specialist fashion and retail recruitment firm Retail Executives.
The high street womenswear brand, which has 480 employees and a 39-strong UK store estate, collapsed into administration on March 7. Before the sale to Byland, it had made 55 people redundant and closed five stores in Sheffield’s Meadowhall shopping centre, Bristol, Liverpool, and Brent Cross and Westbourne Grove in London.
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