The boss of a major Aussie retailer has been sacked for serious misconduct

The boss of a major Australian retailer has been fired for “serious misconduct” just nine months before he was due to depart and take over as chief executive at another company.

Smiggle managing director John Cheston was terminated on Monday by The Just Group board, which said in a statement they considered he had engaged in serious misconduct and breached his employment terms.

“On that basis, his employment has been terminated today,” the statement read.

Mr Cheston was announced as the new chief executive of jewellery retailer Lovisa just months ago, with the appointment due to begin in June next year.

Smiggle is an Australian retailer that sells stationery and items for schoolchildren and is part of The Just Group, which owns retails stores Peter Alexander, Just Jeans, Portmans, Dotti, Jacquie E and Jay Jays.

The group is owned by Premier Investments whose chairman is Australian businessman Solomon Lew.

In 2011, Mr Cheston settled a legal dispute in the High Court with retailer Country Road, where he formerly chief executive.

The dispute was over the cessation of Mr Cheston’s employment. He was awarded $1.1m in the settlement.

Lovisa and The Just Group have been contacted for comment.

In a statement, Mr Cheston said he was denying the allegations of misconduct.

“John Cheston resigned from his employment with the Just Group on 3 June providing 12 months’ notice before he would commence his employment as the Chief Executive Officer of Lovisa Holdings,” the statement reads.

“The allegations of misconduct are categorically denied by Mr Cheston.”