EUAN Sutherland, the Scots retail expert who quit as chief executive of Co-operative Group in March after just 10 months in the job, has been appointed to run the British company behind the Superdry fashion brand.
Mr Sutherland has replaced founder Julian Dunkerton as chief executive of the SuperGroup business, on a £675,000 salary.
Mr Dunkerton, who started the business three decades ago on a market stall in Cheltenham, south-west England before floating it on the stock market in 2010, has moved to the new role of founder and product and brand director with immediate effect.
Edinburgh-born Mr Sutherland said: "SuperGroup is a great business with a strong brand and I am truly delighted to be taking on the challenge of delivering its growth potential."
He will bring 19 years experience in the retail sector gained in senior roles at firms such as B&Q, Dixons and Coca-Cola.
Mr Sutherland's appointment comes seven months after he hit the headlines following an acrimonious departure from the mutually-owned Co-op Group, which he deemed to be ungovernable.
He used Facebook to blame "an individual, or individuals" at the top of the group for seeking to undermine him by revealing details of his £3.66 million pay deal to a Sunday newspaper.
In July it emerged Mr Sutherland was in line for a £1m payoff from Co-op for his 10 months in charge,
Supergroup's chairman Peter Bamford said: "Euan has the stature, skills, experience and personal style to work in partnership with Julian and lead the team through the next stage of the company's development."
Mr Dunkerton will focus on developing the group's product ranges and protecting its brand as it expands internationally.
Superdry products are sold in over 100 countries via its 135 UK and European standalone retail stores, concessions, franchised and licensed stores and website.
Last month SuperGroup forecast a year of profit growth, as sales of its trademark jackets, hooded tops, check shirts and jogging bottoms helped revenues rise 16 per cent in its first quarter, and its autumn-winter season has started well.
Mr Sutherland had been a non-executive director at SuperGroup for two years.
Kate Calvert, an analyst at Investec, said: "Euan has a formidable retail reputation and a wealth of experience."
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