£ IN THE MONEY

Helen Connolly, 45 Chief executive, Bonmarche

WOMENSWEAR chain Bonmarché handed its chief executive a 25pc pay rise last year.

Helen Connolly, 45, pocketed £ 434,000 after profits at the retailer soared 38pc to £8m. She joined the firm in August 2016 from Asda where she was buying director for womenswear and lingerie.

Connolly has been credited with overhauling the firm’s head office and improving its range.

She has also worked as a buyer at Next and Dorothy Perkins.