Morris’s earnings hit £1m

Marchpole executive deputy chairman Michael Morris enjoyed a bumper bonus of£851,999 according to annual reports sent to the firm’s shareholders.

The bonus added on to his£260,000 annual salary means that the founder of the fashion brand-owner and retailer reaped in more than£1 million last year.

Despite the termination of its YSL licence, the group recorded strong sales in the year to March 31 with turnover shooting up by 135 per cent on the same period last year to£90.5 million. This followed the acquisitions of Homebody and Greenmark.

Morris was made executive deputy chairman in 2006.

Separately, group finance director John Harrison resigned from the board last month, but continues as finance director until a replacement can be found.