Harvey Nichols is poised to hire a new chief executive and former Burberry finance chief Stacey Cartwright has emerged as the front-runner.

Harvey Nichols chief executive Joseph Wan has been seeking a replacement to take the helm when he retires next year.

Industry sources say Cartwright is among the candidates in the final round of the selection process for the job, according to the Independent.

Cartwright left Burberry in July. If she gets the job she will be working with fashion director Paula Reed, the former Grazia style director who has been hired to refresh Harvey Nichols.