Lennart Henningson, Dominic Chandler and former CEO Dominic Chappell, were directors of BHS Group and its subsidiaries, and were charged with claims of wrongful trading, trading misfeasance and individual misfeasance in a case brought by the joint liquidators from FRP Advisory.

Chappell was the first respondent but did not take part in the trial after being granted a six-month adjournment. As a result, a further trial will follow and this ruling is not binding on Chappell.

Henningson and Chandler were each ordered to pay £6.5m for wrongful trading as a contribution to the companies’ creditors.

Judge Justice Leech said: ‘I consider that in the exercise of my discretion it is proper to order Mr Henningson and Mr Chandler each to contribute on a several basis £6.5 million to the companies’ assets and I will make a declaration to that effect.’

Whil