LONDON – London department store veteran Lydia King is taking over as Liberty’s managing director, retail, replacing Sarah Coonan, whose departure was announced last November.

Liberty said Friday King’s new role is effective immediately. It added her appointment reflects Liberty’s “continued focus on strengthening its retail leadership and evolving its offer for a modern, global customer,” while remaining rooted in its heritage of “creativity, curation and cultural relevance.”

King was most recently Liberty’s group buying and merchandising director. The store said she played a “central” role in shaping the retailer’s buying strategy, and leading teams across fashion, beauty and lifestyle to deliver a curated, design-led offer “aligned with Liberty’s reputation for discovery and craftsmanship.”

In her new role, King will continue to have responsibility for Liberty’s buying and merchandising teams.

Prior to joining Liberty, King served as fashion director at Harrods, and before that she spent 13 years at Selfridges, where she held the role of womenswear buying and merchandising director. She began her career in public relations.

King said that having worked closely with the teams over recent years, “my focus will be on continuing to evolve Liberty’s retail experience, championing exceptional product and ensuring our flagship store remains one of the most inspiring places to shop in the world.”

Adil Mehboob Khan, CEO of Liberty, said King “has already had a significant impact on Liberty’s success, and her appointment as managing director, retail, is a natural next step. Lydia’s experience will be instrumental as we continue to build on our momentum and shape the future of Liberty.”

Liberty celebrated its 150-year anniversary last year, and has been making a series of changes and upgrades to mark the occasion.

It has refurbished its restaurant, Seventy Five; unveiled its own collection of perfumes; opened a Fragrance Lounge and a concept space called The Beauty Studio. The latter is home to three indie brands, Violette_FR, Grown Alchemist and Vyrao, which see beauty and fragrance as a path to well-being.

The Beauty Studio sits next to Liberty’s beauty hall and is located in the store’s former chocolate shop, which has its own entrance on Carnaby Street.