Fashion brand Ted Baker has hired former Scotch and Soda boss Ari Hoffman as the new chief executive of its US business.

The retailer said Hoffman’s appointment was a newly created role, which will “help to accelerate Ted Baker’s growth in North America” – the business’ second-largest market.

Hoffman will take up his new role in December 2019, and group boss Lindsay Page praised his “deep understanding of the North American market”.

Most recently, Hoffman was chief executive of fashion brand Scotch and Soda, and previously was both president and chief executive of US operations at Benetton. He also worked for Gant, Yves St Laurent, Christian Lacroix and Lacoste in a career spanning more than three decades.

Page said: “We are delighted to announce that Ari will be joining the Ted Baker team in December. His vast experience and in-depth understanding of the North American market will further strengthen our global Executive Team.

“Ari has a deep understanding of the North American market and he has significant experience of working with well-known and prestigious global brands like ours. I have no doubt that he will be a driving force in continuing to develop the Ted Baker brand in North America, particularly supporting our online and digital business development.”

Hoffman said: “I am delighted to join Ted Baker to lead the company’s North American team to even greater success. Ted Baker is an outstanding brand that I have been an admirer and consumer of for some time. I look forward to accelerating the development of this quintessential British brand in the significant North American market.”

Hoffman joins the business at a time of great flux. At its most recent set of interim results for the 28 weeks to August 10, the brand posted a £23m loss, while group revenue fell 0.7%.

However, retail sales in the US were one of the few bright spots for Ted Baker, posting a 3.1% increase to £63.7m.