Fashion retailer Kookaï has appointed Matthieu Dietsch as managing director of its UK business.

Dietsch, currently international director for parent company Kookaï SA, will replace Cuy Critchlow, who has been managing director since 2006. Dietsch will start his new role on February 1, 2009.

Critchlow said Dietsch’s appointment forms part of a move to bring the UK business “into line with its international brand” and “integrate its operations more closely with its French parent company”.

Michael and Maurice Bennett, who invested in the retailer through investment firm Amery Capital – which was founded by retail entrepreneur Maurice Helfgott – in 2005, will remain in their roles as joint chairmen of Kookai UK.

Kookaï has 400 standalone stores and more than 700 concessions Worldwide, including nine stores and 46 concessions in the UK.