Sports Direct tycoon Mike Ashley has sacked Jack Wills boss Suzanne Harlow, just weeks after buying the retailer out of administration.

Retail Week understands former Debenhams executive Harlow was ousted from the preppy fashion retailer yesterday.

Jack Wills staff were also informed of her departure yesterday. 

A source close to Harlow said she would not want people to think that she would walk away from a difficult situation.  

The source close to the situation flagged the significant improvements Suzanne has made over the last year including “new product development, improving margins and halving the EBITDA loss.”

Harlow has been at the helm less than a year, after originally being drafted in by previous owner Bluegem in an advisory role.

But despite efforts to improve supplier relationships and reconnect the business to its brand, Harlow struggled to arrest ailing sales and Jack Wills was forced to call in KPMG to advise on its options last month.

Sports Direct ultimately swooped on the chain at the start of August, paying £12.75m in a pre-pack deal.

The sportswear giant, which has also acquired the likes of House of Fraser, Evans Cycles and Sofa.com, has already shut eight Jack Wills stores as it bids to revive its performance.