Co-founder Julian Dunkerton has been confirmed as the permanent chief executive officer of Superdry amid the latest changes at the fashion retailer.

Silvana Bonello has been appointed chief operating officer while chairman Peter Williams will step down next year.

Mr Dunkerton, who founded the company in Cheltenham with James Holder in 2003 and is the biggest shareholder with a 20.3 per cent stake, returned to the board last year after leaving in 2018.

His contract as interim chief executive had been due to end in April and a company statement said he would "continue to directly oversee the progression of Superdry against its environmental and sustainability agenda".

He said: "I am delighted and excited to continued as chief executive of Superdry on a permanent basis.

"With Silvana joining the executive team, we have the right operational leadership to steer the business through these most uncertain times and drive the brand reset as we seek to inspire our customers with design-led, sustainable product and engage with them through our digital channels.

"Peter leaves Superdry in a much stronger position than we we joined. For that, the board and I are tremendously grateful and we wish him every success in the future."

Silvana Bonello will relocate to the UK from Switzerland when she takes up her new role on March 1.

She spent 18 years with Nike in senior operational and strategic roles in the US and the Netherlands and has most recently been vice president of operations for Vans EMEA.

Mr Williams, who joined as chairman amid the board changes which saw Mr Dunkerton return in April 2019, will step down when a successor is appointed.

He said: "I joined Superdry as chairman with a clear goal of ensuring a smooth transition following the change of management last year.

"Julian and Silvana's appointments are among the last steps in putting the right team together to secure the turnaround of the business.

"Superdry is a world-class brand and I am proud to have played my part in its turnaround strategy and putting the foundations in place for a more successful future."

He said the search for a chief financial officer to replace Nick Gresham, who stepped down in October after only 16 months in the role, was "well advanced".