Debenhams has poached BHS managing director Mike Goring who will become retail director of the department store.

Goring will take up the position on January 12 next year. He replaces Nigel Palmer who left the retailer at the end of last month.

He will join Debenhams’executive management team as executive director and will take responsibility for retail, retail operations and store development.

Goring has held a variety of senior roles within Arcadia and the Burton Group prior to that. He was appointed as managing director of BHS in 2009.