Former Harrods chief sues for £300,000

FORMER Harrods chief executive Richard Simonin has launched a legal action against the London store and its flamboyant owner Mohamed Al Fayed.

Simonin, who joined Harrods in July 2003, was at one time credited with almost doubling the store's profits to £20m during his brief tenure. But after his sudden departure in February, Simonin, 52, is now claiming £300,000 in damages.

The French-born boss became the fifth chief executive to leave the store and one of more than 40 directors who have left over the past 12 years. Simonin, with 18 months in the top job, lasted longer than his predecessor Max Rigelman, who left for America after only a few weeks in the hot seat.

Simonin accuses Harrods of breaching an agreement relating to his departure made in early February, a claim Harrods strongly denies.

'The action is groundless and will be defended vigorously,' Harrods said. 'We do not believe there is any payment due.'

Earlier this month, Simonin, who has held posts as chairman and chief executive of French mail order firm La Redoute and luxury goods chains Givenchy Couture and Kenzo, took up the challenge of reversing the decline of French fashion retailer Etam Development.

His first task was to negotiate a deal with billionaire retailer Philip Green to sell Etam's loss-making UK business. The deal, for an undisclosed sum but thought to be about £10m, was announced on Friday.