Erica Vikauls named as new CEO at LK Bennett as Topp stands down

Erica Vikauls, the former CEO of East and COO of Thomas Pink, has been appointed as CEO of LK Bennett as Darren Topp has announced he is standing down.

Vikauls was at East as interim CEO for just two months before the womenswear retailer fell into administration for the third time in two years this January. Prior to that she was chief operating officer at premium shirtmaker Thomas Pink.

She replaces Darren Topp, who joined LK Bennett in September 2016 following the collapse of BHS, where he had been CEO.

Chairman of LK Bennett, Patrick Woodall, said Topp had done an "outstanding job" and delivered improved profitability for the premium women's fashion and footwear retailer since he arrived.

“Having discussed the next stage of the of the company’s journey with Darren earlier this year, we agreed that now would be the right time for Darren to move on to new challenges that he had in mind, with Erica in place as his successor,” Woodall said.

Last September Linda Bennett, the founder of the brand, bought the company back from its private equity backers, Pheonix Equity Partners, having sold it in 2008 to Phoenix and Sirius Equity for a reported £100m.

Topp thanked Bennett and Woodall for their support during his tenure and added: “It has been a privilege to lead LK Bennett over this crucial time of transition for the business. I wish Erica and the team all the very best for the future."

Vilkauls said she was "looking forward to continuing the excellent work that Darren and the team have done over the past two years, at this exciting time for the brand.”