Gap has expanded the role of European president Stephen Sunnucks who will now be president of Europe and international strategic alliances.

The addition to Sunnucks' role will mean he is responsible for overseeing any joint venture and franchise agreements that Gap embarks on across Europe.

A Gap spokeswoman said that the move to was a sign that the company now sees a “significant advance for franchising in Europe”.

The move follows the closure of Gap’s London-based European design team in August which affected up to 80 jobs at the retailer.

Gap said it would now shift its focus to opening new franchises in Europe for Gap and Banana Republic and was looking at launching a transactional website in the UK.