Fortnum & Mason chairman Jana Khayat is to step down after seven years in the role.

Khayat, who is the daughter of the late Garry Weston, of the Weston family whose empire also includes department store group Selfridges, will be succeeded by her sister Kate Hobhouse.

Fortnum & Mason managing director Beverley Aspinall said Khayat had overseen the refurbishment of the department store in time for its 300th anniversary. Since the completion of the refurbishment in October, sales have soaraed about 30 per cent year on year each week, according to Aspinall.

After 24 years at the retailer, Khayat wants to spend more time at her home in Scotland.

Aspinall said there would be no further management changes and it remains “business as usual”.

The retailer has experienced a 48 per cent year on year increase in sales over the past two weeks. Aspinall said: “We have seen no evidence of a downturn at all.”

She added that year-on-year sales at the retailer are up 18 per cent.