Dune’s chief executive John Egan is standing down after nine years at the helm of the footwear specialist.

Egan has held the role of chief executive for the retailer since its acquisition of Shoe Studio, which he was chief operating officer for at the time, and will remain with the business as a non-executive director.

Executive chairman Daniel Rubin said: “John has made a huge contribution to the group over the years.

“He played a major role in the acquisition of Shoe Studio in 2009, which trebled the size of the business, and since then has expertly guided the business through major growth, both in the UK and internationally, during a period of major change both for The Dune Group and the retail sector generally.”

Egan will step down as boss of the footwear retailer in August and will be succeeded by current chief operating officer James Cox.

Cox joined Dune in 2010 as finance director and has acted as chief operating officer since 2013.

Egan said: “It has been a privilege to lead the Dune business during a period of incredible sales and profit growth with a talented senior management team.

“I look forward to my continuing relationship with the business as a non-executive director.”

The footwear retailer poached Ralph Lauren’s marketing boss Rob Silsbury in March.