THE Dorset-based fashion chain New Look has appointed the former boss of House of Fraser as its new chief executive, after the role remained open for two years.

Nigel Oddy, who became New Look’s chief operating officer in April, will step into the role from the beginning of next year, allowing executive chairman Alistair McGeorge to move back from the front line.

Mr McGeorge has been in charge of the Weymouth-headquartered business as executive chairman since Anders Kristiansen resigned in later 2017. He said the new appointment would allow him to step back into a non-executive role as chairman of the board.

“Nigel has been running the business operationally since he joined us and in a short space of time has made significant improvements to our buying, product, supply chain and omnichannel offer,” he said.

The new chief executive could face a tough battle ahead as the company battles a brutal high street. Last month Mr McGeorge said he did not expect things to improve soon.