Another Topshop boss quits

Karyn Fenn has become the second woman to quit as a Topshop director in under a year, after she handed in her resignation in August, fuelling speculation of a power vacuum at the company.

Fenn had spent 19 years at the company, but only took on the joint managing director role less than a year ago. Fenn’s predecessor Jane Shepherdson quit last October, and finance and marketing director Jo Farrelly signalled her intent to leave by the beginning of September.

The high street giant has come under heavy scrutiny recently after doubts over parent company Arcadia’s financial position have grown. Sir Philip Green, owner of the retail empire that includes Burton and Dorothy Perkins, rejects criticisms that his organisation remains overly indebted after he paid himself a record £1.2bn dividend two years ago.

Topshop declined to comment.

words by Rob Drake