Topshop MD Homer leaves to join The White Company

Topshop's longstanding managing director Mary Homer has quit the business to join The White Company.

Homer, who has been with Arcadia (Toyshop's parent) for 30 years, told the Financial Times her departure was "very amicable" while her boss Sir Philip Green said there were "no dramas" surrounding her departure.

She has worked for Green for 30 years and has been managing director of Topshop for 11 years during which time it has rapidly expanded globally. International expansion is expected to be high on her list of tasks for The White Company, which has just signed the lease on its first store in New York.

While sources confirm claims the departure was amicable it will be a blow to Green as it comes on the back of a string of departures from the group. In recent weeks Burton managing director Wesley Taylor, Topshop' retail director Craig McGregor and Miss Selfridge's creative director Yasmin Yusuf have all left the Arcadia Group.

Lifestyle and fashion brand The White Company was founded by former journalist Chrissie Rucker in 1994. It has more than 50 stores in the UK as well as four clearance stores in designer outlet villages. Last month its CEO Will Kernan left to join cycling company Wiggle.