Flying Brands has lost its chief executive Tricia Killen, less than a year after she joined the home shopping group.

In a statement this morning, Flying Brands said that Killen has told the board she wishes the leave the business to “pursue other interests”. Killen took the helm at the struggling retailer in June last year.

Stephen Cook, a non executive director, has stepped into the role of chief executive with immediate effect. Cook was formerly group strategy director and general counsel at Telewest Communications.

Last month billionaire investor Sir Tom Hunter lambasted Flying Brand’s management saying that he would take a more active role in the group’s future.

Hunter has a 29.9 per cent stake in Flying Brands and last year made a failed attempt to buy the business.