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John Cheston, the longstanding managing director of stationery and accessories retail network Smiggle, has been fired within months of the announcement he would be jumping ship to lead jewellery chain Lovisa Holdings (ASX: LOV) as CEO from mid-next year.
Smiggle is part of the JUST Group that also owns the Peter Alexander, Just Jeans and Jacqui E brands, among others, and is ultimately owned by Solomon Lew's Premier Investments (ASX: PMV).
"The Just Group board considers that Mr John Cheston (Managing Director – Smiggle) has engaged in serious misconduct and a serious breach of his employment terms and on that basis his employment has been terminated today," the group says in a statement.
Business News Australia has sought to make contact with Cheston for comment to defend the allegations, but was unable to reach him prior to publication.
Cheston has been with Smiggle since 2012 when he was first appointed as general manager, having moved to Australia two years prior to lead Country Road after decades of international experience in the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia, including 17 years at British retail multinational Marks & Spencer.
The executive has been with Smiggle for more than a decade and is set for a new chapter as CEO of Lovisa in June next year. Business News Australia has also sought clarification from Lovisa about whether this turn of events will influence the appointment, but was unable to reach a representative.
Smiggle is one of the few brands that would remain as part of Premier Investments' (ASX: PMV) retail portfolio if it successfully merges most of its fashion brands with department store group Myer Holdings (ASX: MYR).
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