Furniture retailer Loaf has poached its new chief financial officer from Debenhams as it embarks on a new five-year growth strategy.

The retailer has appointed Anne Blixen-Finecke, who as Debenhams’ commercial financial director, led on the department store chain’s financial partnering function and had oversight for its commercial and operational business areas.

Prior to joining Debenhams in 2016, she held senior finance management roles at Marks & Spencer and Tesco.

Loaf said that in her new role Blixen-Finecke will lead on “all aspects of finance, IT and compliance” and will also “play an active role in shaping their long-term growth strategy as the company embarks on ambitious plans to double sales and profits over the next five years”.

Founder and chief executive of Loaf Charlie Marshall said: “We’re very excited to have Anne join us at Loaf. She’s a terrific talent with a superb track record and a wealth of experience. Anne was a crucial hire as we look to take Loaf to the next level, and I have no doubt she’ll achieve great things here.”