The managing director of A-Wear and merchandise director of the Brown Thomas group, Ms Deirdre Kelly, has resigned from both positions. It is understood Ms Kelly, who was instrumental in bringing Irish designers such as Mr John Rocha, Quin & Donnelly and Mr Marc O'Neill into the A-Wear business, resigned because she felt it was time to take a break from the company, for which she has worked for 12 years.

In a statement, Brown Thomas said it regretted the decision and thanked Ms Kelly for the contribution she has made to the company.