Missguided has appointed Shop Direct’s former second-in-command Gareth Jones as chief executive of its online division.

Jones, who left Shop Direct last year after seven years with the business to go travelling with his family, will join Missguided next week.

Jones will be based at the fashion retailer’s Manchester headquarters, reporting directly to Missguided to founder Nitin Passi, who will become group chief executive.

Passi told Drapers that snapping up Jones “further demonstrates how serious we are about continuing the growth trajectory the business has experienced to date.”

Jones added: “Having spent some time with Nitin talking in detail about his plans for the business, this opportunity was simply too exciting to pass up. Missguided is well placed to continue to take the international online fashion market by storm.”

Jones joined Shop Direct as brand director in 2009 and culminated as deputy chief executive, a role he held since 2014.

He has previously worked at Phones4u.

Missguided unveiled plans to launch a menswear clothing website last month and posted a 75% jump in full-year revenue in May.