Former Debenhams chief executive Belinda Earl is to head fashion group Jaeger as the new chief exec of its retail sector.Earl, who left Debenhams with a GBP3.6m pay-off after the business was sold to Baroness Retail last year, is planning a revamp of the upmarket fashion group owned by Harold Tillman.

She has taken a stake in Jaeger, and plans to broaden its appeal. A stock market float is one possibility. Earl said: "The business has a fantastic heritage, with 120 years of history. The potential is huge and I am looking forward to the challenge." Tillman bought Jaeger last year from fellow entrepreneur Richard Thomson, who in turn had acquired it from textile business Coats. Investment has included GBP25m to buy a long lease on the flagship Jaeger Regent Street store.

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