Former Topman managing director joins River Island

Former Topman managing director Philip Cooke has been appointed has been appointed as managing director of menswear and kidswear at rival retailer River Island.

Cooke is due to join River Island this spring, the business has confirmed, having spent 12 years with Topman owner Arcadia. He joined Arcadia in 2005 as head of buying for Topman, stepping up to buying director in 2009 before being promoted to managing director in 2012.

His departure comes amid a raft of changes at the top of Arcadia. Former long-standing Topshop managing director Mary Homer announced her departure last Spring to take up the CEO role at The White Company. In the autumn Arcadia announced it had poached Paul Price from Burberry, where he had been chief merchandising officer, to join as joint CEO of Topman and Tophshop. Shortly after David Hagglund was appointed creative director across both brands.

Hagglund's arrival led to the departure of Topman's long standing creative director Gordon Richardson and Topshop creative director Kate Phelan.

River Island Man recently burnished its cool credentials by unveiling a new collaboration with London streetwear label Blood Brother at London Fashion Week Men's earlier this month.