Selfridges has appointed former Woolworths finance director to the same role at the department store.

John Edgar, who will take up his role at Selfridges on December 15, replaces Phil Clarke, who left Selfridges a few months ago.

Edgar has also held senior roles at House of Fraser and Arcadia.

Selfridges chief executive Paul Kelly said: “I’m delighted that John has decided to join Selfridges. He will make a great contribution to the business, thanks to his outstanding expertise in all aspects of financial strategy and management.”

Woolworths said that Edgar had decided to leave the beleaguered variety retailer separately to the management reshuffle that Woolworths undertook as part of a cost-saving exercise at the end of last month.