Permira hires Rose as part of Debenhams bid

Big-hitter Stuart Rose has been drafted in by Permira to become non-executive chairman of Debenhams in the event that its£1.4 billion bid is successful.

Rose's established right-hand man, Charles Wilson, will also join the Debenhams board if Permira wins control of the department store business.

Until last December, Rose was chief executive of Arcadia, which was then sold to tycoon Philip Green. He also worked for Arcadia's forerunner, Burton Group, which owned Debenhams prior to its demerger in 1998.

Rose recently joined the board of Land Securities, but said then he was still seeking another big retail role.