The changes are continuing at Harvey Nichols as its still-new CEO Julia Goddard reshapes the business for growth and news has come this week that Katie Benson, who’s been senior buying director at Net-A-Porter, is its new chief merchant.

She’s a seven-year veteran of the YNAP business having joined it as buying manager at its outlet operation The Outnet in 2017 before becoming head of buying there. She progressed to head of buying RTW at its in-season luxury e-tailer Net-A-Porter in 2022 and became buying director there at the start of last year.

Her luxury experience stretches back further than all that as she was worldwide senior buyer for Alexander McQueen and was womenswear designer buyer at Australian high-end department store chain David Jones.

Harvey Nichols has struggled somewhat in recent years but major change was signalled when Goddard was appointed to its top job this summer. That role had been vacant for some time with previous CEO Manju Malholtra quitting in August 2023 after a quarter of a century with the business. There were rumours of disagreements over strategy with business owner Dickson Poon.

Benson’s arrival follows another high-profile appointment last month when Kate Phelan was named creative director.

The company also plans to invest heavily marketing and in revamping its London flagship, which is in Knightsbridge, just a Stone’s throw from rival Harrods.