Austin Reed poaches Arcadia director

Fashion retailer Austin Reed has appointed Arcadia group commercial director Alan Charlton as its finance director.

Charlton has been Arcadia group commercial director since 2004. From 2000 to 2004 he was commercial and finance director at Dorothy Perkins and Burton. He has also held a number of senior financial roles at Debenhams, Topshop and Topman.

Austin Reed chairman John Robins said: 'His extensive retail experience at the Arcadia group will add value to the position of finance director and he will make a positive contribution to the continuing development of the business.'

Charlton replaces Geoff Gibson, who revealed in May last year that he intended to leave the group after nine years as finance director. Gibson will step down on June 5 and leave the group on June 13.