The High Court has ruled that Chappell knowingly enabled BHS Group Limited to continue trading at a loss on terms which were highly disadvantageous and contrary to the interests of other creditors.

He was also criticised for his strategy to ‘sell off the crown jewels to keep trading’.

Chappell was charged with claims of wrongful trading, trading misfeasance and individual misfeasance in a case brought by the joint liquidators from FRP Advisory.

He had not attended an earlier hearing with fellow defendants, and also did not turn up at the High Court for this court appearance, heard over two days in June.