The owners of Harrods have agreed to increased maximum payments to survivors of Mohamed al Fayed’s sexual abuse to around £400,000 under a new redress scheme, according to Sky News.

The Qatar-owned department store has revised the terms of a compensation scheme to be offered to hundreds of sexual abuse victims of the former owner.

The report says lawyers for Harrods have increased the maximum potential payout from around £330,000 following consultation with claimants’ legal representatives.

Sources said final proposals for the compensation scheme would be published Monday (31 March), although some victims may still face a lengthy wait to receive their payouts, the report added.

People close to the talks about the compensation scheme said the final proposals included general damages lump sums of up to £110,000 or £200,000 – with the higher figure available to claimants willing to submit to psychiatric assessments arranged by the company.

One source said the revised maximum compensation sum to be disclosed on Monday was now expected to be between £350,000 and £400,000.

A Harrods spokesperson reissued a statement previously given to Sky News, saying: “It would be premature for us to comment on the nature and details of a scheme that is currently under consultation.

“We are actively inviting the valuable input from Survivors and their legal representatives to establish the final scheme that aims to be survivor-first, trauma-informed, and fair in its approach to compensation.

“Further updates will be provided once the consultation period is complete.”

The redress scheme is being coordinated by MPL Legal, an Essex-based law firm.

The house of Victoria Beckham has named Sybille Darricarrère Lunel – a former Dior and Galeries Lafayette executive – to be its new CEO.

 
Darricarrère Lunel takes up her new job on July 1, succeeding acting CEO Ralph Toledano, who has held the position ever since the departure of Marie Leblanc in October of last year. She returned to Paris to become CEO of Courrèges.
 
Victoria Beckham, who founded the house back in 2008, said in a release that she excited by having a “strong, creative, smart woman with an entrepreneurial mindset and energy by my side. I look forward to leading this company with Sybille and having her knowledge and respect for product, and her experience in the industry, to help us go to the next level.”

While Darricarrère Lunel enthused: “I am absolutely delighted and thrilled to be joining Victoria Beckham as its new CEO. I have always admired the brand’s feminine, elegant, and modern style, which empowers women. I have a deep admiration for Victoria’s work, her sincerity, her creative vision, and her attention to detail. I look forward to collaborating with the talented teams who have achieved remarkable success alongside her, as we begin building exciting new chapters together.”
 
After the arrival of Darricarrère Lunel, Toledano will continue to be chairman of Victoria Beckham, a position he has held since 2017, when the French group New Investment Partners, of which he is a key player, acquired 30% of the Beckham fashion business.
 
Darricarrère Lunel, who has previously been global business unit director of leather goods at Christian Dior Couture, will be based in London. Prior to Dior, she was general merchandise and buying director at Galeries Lafayette, after a stint at The Kooples working in planning and merchandising.
 
“Her career to date, and her understanding of product, make her the perfect CEO for our brand. I am sure that following the achievements of the past few years, and with the support of our great team, she will considerably accelerate the growth of Victoria Beckham,” said industry veteran Toledano.
 
Adding that Darricarrère Lunel’s “entrepreneurial spirit, enthusiasm and intelligence immediately spoke to me when we first met.”
 
After a half decade of substantial losses, Victoria Beckham’s house returned to profitability under Neo’s guidance in the past two years, ushering in a period where Victoria has created some her strongest collections to date.

 
While David Belhassen, Founder & Managing Partner NEO Investment Partners, added:  “For any company, there comes a moment when the right leadership unlocks its true potential. With Sybille, and her natural entrepreneurial energy, that moment is now. Her sharp understanding of product, combined with her drive, makes her our perfect partner to write the next chapter for Victoria Beckham— one of ambition, creativity, and high profitable growth.”
 
 
 

Roksanda Ilinčić has become the queen of collabs in recent periods, her Roksanda label having linked up with brands as varied as Jigsaw, George at Asda and FitFlop. And the latest is H&M Group’s & Other Stories with an exclusive collab launching in May.

The London-based designer is known for her deft use of colour, sculptural silhouettes, and dedication to empowering women. & Other Stories — which itself is known for its strong series of collabs — said she “brings her distinctive creative vision to a limited-edition collection that explores the intersection of art, architecture, and femininity”.

It’s inspired by her “deep admiration for summer sunsets and unsurprisingly given the timing, is made “with summer in mind”.

The pieces are meant to “transition effortlessly from elevated daytime dressing to elegant evening events” with the designer’s signature combination of “fluidity and structure, bold colour blocking, and architectural lines”. 

We’re told that “rooted in Roksanda’s philosophy of ‘sheltering’, each piece is intended to provide a sense of protection and strength, empowering women to feel confident while embracing their femininity”. 

Navigating the tough business backdrop has been challenging for many independent s and Roksanda was sold last year to brand development platform The Brand Group shortly after filing notice of intent to appoint administrators. It joined the still-new Vivere label as part of Damian Hopkins’ growing empire and looks set for a more stable future under that umbrella.