Blacks appoints Dominic Lavelle as interim finance director

Lavelle will take up the position on November 21, and will work alongside Marc Lombardo, outgoing finance director, until his departure in December.

Blacks said Lavelle “brings extensive retail experience”, having worked as finance director at department store Allders, fashion retailer Oasis and clothing and homewares chain Laura Ashley in the last 15 years.

He also has “significant experience of turnaround projects”, according to Blacks, including at home shopping group Findel.

Last week Blacks revealed like-for-likes plummeted 7.2% in the 26 weeks to August 27, while plummeting 14.2% since the year end in what the retailer said is “an extremely challenging period for the business and UK retail.” Losses before tax widened to £16m from £7.2m.