Selfridges had made a raft of changes to its top management team as it prepares for further growth.

Anne Pitcher has been promoted to run Selfridges Group

Anne Pitcher

Anne Pitcher, managing director of Selfridges & Co, is to succeed Paul Kelly as managing director of the group.

Kelly is moving on to run connected business Wittington Property Investments, where as managing director he will be responsible for the development of the group’s portfolio of properties, as well as overseeing the Selfridges Hotel and Neighbourhood Plan.

Simon Forster, Selfridges & Co customer director, will assume Pitcher’s role in charge of the retailer’s four stores and omnichannel operations.

The changes will take effect from February 1, 2019.

Selfridges Group deputy chair Alannah Weston said: “I am delighted to welcome Paul, Anne and Simon into their respective new roles.

“I have had the absolute pleasure of working with each of these individuals over many years and it is a reflection of the talent we continue to build that we are able to fill these important roles by nurturing our talent and planned succession from within the business.”

Earlier this month, Selfridges posted a record operating profit of £181m for its last financial year, when sales climbed 11.5% to £1.75bn.