Mothercare finance boss and executive director Richard Smothers has given notice and will leave the specialist retailer next year.

Smothers has a 12-month notice period at the retailer and will remain in his role until a successor is found.

The specialist retailer, which is posting its full-year results this month, has kicked off its search for a replacement.

It is not known if Smothers, who joined Mothercare from packing group Rexam in 2015, has a new role lined up elsewhere.

Chief executive Mark Newton-Jones said: “Richard has played a significant role in the first phase of the turnaround of the Mothercare brand, helping us build a strong platform for future growth.

“On a personal note, I’d like to thank him for his support and wish him well for the future.”