Former BHS boss Darren Topp to lead fashion chain LK Bennett

Topp, former chief operating officer at BHS, endured a difficult time at the company as he attempted to keep the business afloat (Reuters)

Darren Topp, the former boss of collapsed retailer BHS, has been appointed as chief executive of fashion chain LK Bennett.

BHS collapsed in April, putting 11,000 out of work and 22,000 pensions at risk. Its demise has left its two pension schemes with a £571m black hole.

Mr Topp, former chief operating officer at BHS, endured a difficult time at the company as he attempted to keep the business afloat, following its sale by Sir Philip Green to the Dominic Chappell-led consortium Retail Acquisitions for £1 over a year ago.

In June, Mr Topp told MPs how Mr Chappell threatened to kill him when he found out about a £1.5m payment Mr Chappell made from BHS to an unaffiliated company called BHS Sweden in April.

At LK Bennett, Mr Topp will replace Robert Bensoussan, who took over on an interim basis in 2014. He will remain at LK Bennett as a non-executive director.

Mr Topp will be joined by Michael Hitchcock, former BHS financial consultant, who will take up the role of LK Bennett’s chief financial officer.

LK Bennett is a favourite with the Duchess of Cambridge, as well as the actresses Anna Paquin and Reese Witherspoon.

LK Bennett said Mr Topp has more than 30 years of retail experience at a senior level including Marks & Spencer and BHS.

“Darren and Michael have an exceptionally strong retail background and will be instrumental in driving the business through its next stage of development,” Patrick Woodall, LK Bennett chairman said.

Mr Topp said he was delighted to join the company. “LK Bennett is a fantastic business and we look forward to building on and continuing,” he said.

LK Bennett has 114 shops in the UK and Ireland as well as stores in the US and Middle East.

The last remaining BHS stores closed in August, ending 88 years of British retail history.