Bonmarché’s Beth Butterwick to join Karen Millen as CEO

Butterwick, who joined Bonmarché in 2011, will remain at the value retailer until a successor is found to ensure a “smooth transition”.

Karen Millen has been without a CEO since Mike Shearwood left in September after the firm scrapped plans for a management buyout.

It recently completed a restructuring of its balance sheet with its shareholder, Icelandic bank Kaupthing, to support its growth plans.

Butterwick will lead a strategy to reshape Karen Millen globally by increasing its focus on digital. change change

Prior to Bonmarché, Butterwick held senior roles with MS Mode in Holland, Gap Europe and Marks & Spencer.

The Bonmarché board said it is “conducting a comprehensive search” for her replacement.

Butterwick said: “It has been a great privilege to lead this unique company. I would like to offer my sincere thanks for the valued support from customers, colleagues, suppliers and shareholders, throughout my time with Bonmarché.”

Bonmarché chairman John Coleman added: “We thank Beth for her exceptional contribution over the past four years.

”She has led the business through a transformative period, through the acquisition by an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners in 2012, the IPO on AIM in 2013, and most recently the company’s transition to the London Stock Exchange’s main market as one of the UK’s largest women’s value retailers.”

Read Beth Butterwick’s entry in this year’s Drapers Top 100