Cath Kidston chairman Peter Higgins is to step down after five years in the position.

Higgins said it was “the right time” to leave, as the retailer seeks to expand under its new owners TA Associates, which bought the retailer in April for £100m.

He said Cath Kidston needs a “heavyweight retailer” with product experience in womenswear to replace him.

Higgins is also chairman of online and mail order fashion brand Joe Browns and a non-executive director and shareholder of Charles Tyrwhitt. He is also an adviser to wine retailer Laithwaites.