Patisserie Valerie owner Patisserie Holdings has appointed Nick Perrin as interim chief financial officer.

Perrin takes up the role at the business as it seeks a permanent replacement for Chris Marsh, who resigned his position as finance director after his suspension following the discovery of serious accounting irregularities and the urgent need for a £20m cash injection.

Two days after his suspension, Marsh was arrested by police and released on bail.

Perrin is described by Patisserie Holdings as an experienced and successful finance director. He most recently worked at AIM-listed veterinary services provider CVS, which saw revenues grow from £110m to £350m during his tenure.

"I am pleased to welcome Nick to Patisserie Holdings,” said Patisserie Holdings CEO Steve Francis, who joined the business last month following the resignation of Paul May.

“He brings with him the necessary experience to help strengthen the team as the company works tirelessly to put the events of the past months behind it and look forward to the future."

In October, Patisserie Holdings announced serious accounting irregularities and the urgent need for a £20m capital injection to save the business. It resolved its short-term crisis with a share offer that raised £15.7m, while company chairman Luke Johnson has loaned the business £10m under a three-year term on an interest-free/fee-free basis, and a bridging loan of up to £10m, paid back from the share offer.