PRIMARK’S chief executive has resigned following an internal probe into his behaviour towards a woman in a social environment.

The budget fashion retailer’s parent firm, Associated British Foods (ABF), said that Paul Marchant stepped down with immediate effect having “acknowledged his error of judgement and accepts that his actions fell below the standards expected by ABF.”

“He has made an apology to the individual concerned, the ABF board and also to his Primark colleagues and others connected to the business,” the firm added.

Mr Marchant was previously chief operating officer at rival New Look and had held roles at Debenhams, Topman and River Island.

He took over as chief executive of the Dublin-based fast fashion chain from founder Arthur Ryan in 2009.

George Weston, chief executive of ABF, said: “I am immensely disappointed.

“At ABF, we believe that high standards of integrity are essential.

“Acting responsibly is the only way to build and manage a business over the long term.

“Colleagues and others must be treated with respect and dignity.

“Our culture has to be, and is, bigger than any one individual.”

The group said it would continue to offer support to the individual who brought this behaviour to its attention.

Eoin Tonge, ABF’s finance director, will act as Primark’s chief executive on an interim basis, with its group financial controller, Joana Edwards, becoming interim finance director.

Under Mr Marchant’s stewardship, Primark expanded rapidly in Britain and overseas, putting pressure on established clothing retailers such as Marks & Spencer.

A lack of online shopping however saw it struggle during the pandemic when lockdowns forced shops to close.

Primark, which makes up almost half of ABF’s sales, brought in more than £9.4 billion in revenues in the 2024 financial year.