Radley has appointed Somerfield chief executive Paul Mason as non-executive chairman.

He will spend two days a month in the role. Mason said: “Radley is a fantastic growth company with outstanding products and a strong executive team. I am looking forward to the role enormously.”

Sales at the ladies accessories retailer rose 24 per cent to£58.3 million in the year to April.

Following a trial this spring in US department stores Bloomingdale’s and Lord & Taylor, the company will establish offices and showrooms in the country.

Hugh Richards, partner at private equity house Exponent – which has a majority shareholding in the business following a secondary buy-out in December – said: “Paul has an impressive background in retail brands and we are confident that he will help us realise our ambitious growth plans for Radley both in the UK and internationally.”

Before his role at Somerfield, Mason was European president of Levi Strauss.

Somerfield was sold to Co-op for£1.6 billion last month. Mason is expected to stay on at Somerfield to oversee the merger.