Jump directly to the content
Exclusive
Chapp stick

BHS management savages serial-bankrupt former owner Dominic Chappell over collapse

Former racing car driver is accused of failing to keep promises

Dominic Chappell

BHS bosses slam ex-owner Dominic Chappell in a damning letter sent to staff, as the serial bankrupt prepares to face MPs.

The ex-racing car driver, who bought the department store chain for £1, is accused of failing to keep promises — and making suppliers jittery.

Dominic Chappell
4
Dominic Chappell is accused of failing to keep his BHS promisesCredit: Isle of Wight County Press

In the letter seen by Sun City, top managers also accuse Chappell’s company RETAIL ACQUISITIONS LTD (RAL), BHS’s last owner, of falling “short of expectations”.

In contrast they praise outgoing chief exec Darren Topp for his “tireless efforts” and “inspirational leadership”.

Darren Topp
4
Outgoing chief exec Darren Topp has been praised for his 'tireless efforts'Credit: BHS

It emerged last week how Chappell called Topp a “f***ing p***k” by text, within hours of the chain collapsing last Thursday.

Chappell will face questions from the Business, Skills and Innovation Committee in the Commons.

The letter to staff reads: “Dominic Chappell continuously assured us he would deliver on raising funds, this was not the case.”

It adds: “The inability of RAL to raise sufficient funds and dispose of key property assets, hindered the management team in delivering the turnaround plan.

“Any sums of financing raised or property disposals appeared to fall short of expectations.”

The letter goes on to say: “RAL ownership did not give confidence to the credit insurers and suppliers that would allow BHS to operate under normal trading terms.”

Aside from the snipes at Chappell, the letter “apologises” to staff for “the very sad situation we find the business in”.

It features the names of  among others finance director Kathryn Morgan, commercial boss Alex

Morrison and retail chief Ciaran McCloskey — but not chief exec Topp.

BHS in administration
4
Managers also accuse Chappell’s previous company of falling ‘short’Credit: PA:Press Association
Sir Philp Green
4
Chappell bought BHS from Topshop tycoon Sir Philip GreenCredit: PA:Press Association

The directors say they had a “viable and realistic” plan to save BHS and believe “given time” it “would ultimately have been successful”.

They praise Topp’s “inspirational leadership”, saying he told staff about the collapse rather than leaving it to the administrators DUFFS & PHELPS.

In conclusion, the letter says: “He insisted on announcing this sad news in person to the dedicated, talented and ultimately very let down team. As always people were his priority”.

Chappell bought BHS from TOPSHOP tycoon Sir Philip Green, due to  face the Commons committee next week.

Topics
LOGO_machibet_200x200

Machibet

star star star star star 4.9/

6,000.000+downloads/Free/Bengali/Version2.3.4

777 BDT IPL 2025 Sports First Deposit Bonus

  • 5,000 BDT Daily Reload Bonus
  • Boost Your First Deposit with a 300 BDT Bonus
  • 100% First Deposit Refund Bonus up to 5,000BDT
bKash bank OK Wallet upay
PLAY NOW
Free Bonus
Download For
android