Upmarket homewares and furniture retailer Oka has reshuffled its management team as it seeks to expand the business in the UK, Europe and the Middle East.

Finance director Tracey Alston has been promoted to the position of managing director. As part of her new role, she will head up retail operations at the retailer, as well as warehouse operations, IT and property management.

Co-founder Annabel Astor, the mother-in-law of Conservative Party leader David Cameron, will continue in her role as chief executive but will now focus more on strategy and the creative side of the business.

Alston said:  “I’m looking forward to the new challenges that lie ahead as part of my additional role at Oka. I’m delighted to be part of the team to lead Oka into new areas and build on the success of the last 10 years during this exciting time of growth.”

Astor said: “I am confident that this appointment will help the business go from strength to strength and help us achieve our ambitious expansion plans.”