Matalan founder John Hargreaves’ daughter Maxine Hargreaves-Adams has snapped up collapsed womenswear retailer Fenn Wright Manson.

Hargreaves Adams is understood to have bought the brand, its John Lewis concession business and a handful of its 17 stores, along with its wholesale business and online operation.

She was one of many suitors in the race to buy Fenn Wright Manson, which appointed Zolfo Cooper as administrator earlier this month.

Retailers Hobbs and Phase Eight were also in the running to snap up the collapsed retailer.  Private equity firm Sun European, which last year bought womenswear retailers Jacques Vert and the Alexon Group, which it renamed Irisa, was also thought to be amongst the throng.

Fenn Wright Manson operated 17 stand-alone stores and 62 concessions within John Lewis and House of Fraser. Hargreaves has not acquired the House of Fraser concession.

Hargreaves-Adams was unavailable for comment while Zolfo Cooper declined to comment.