Matalan is poised to appoint former Asda executive Darren Blackhurst as its new chief executive.

The value fashion group told its bondholders at the start of this month that it has agreed in principle that Blackhurst will take up the role, vacated by Alistair McGeorge last September, according to The Independent.

Blackhurst is believed likely to join the retailer on May 9. The former Asda chief merchandising officer left the grocer in May 2010. He had been touted as a successor to former Asda chief executive Andy Bond before the job was given to Andy Clarke.

Blackhurst will be the latest new face at Matalan, which is owned by founder John Hargreaves and his family, following the appointment of former Sainsbury’s head of general merchandise Adrian Mountford as its commercial director.

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