Nick Perrin has been appointed as the new interim CFO at Patisserie Valerie.

After the previous CFO, Chris Marsh, was suspended and then left the cake retail chain amid an accounting scandal, Patisserie Valerie continues to search for a permanent replacement.

“I am pleased to welcome Nick to Patisserie Holdings,” said Steve Francis, boss of the group.

“I am pleased to welcome Nick to Patisserie Holdings. 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.”

Perrin comes from the AIM-quoted vet services provider CVS.

Marsh left the chain after a £40 million black hole was discovered. He was arrested on bail and is under investigation by the Financial Reporting Council, who is also investigating audits provided by Grant Thornton.

A spokesperson for Grant Thornton said: “I can confirm we have received a letter from the Financial Reporting Council informing us of its decision to commence an investigation, and we will, of course, fully cooperate in this matter.”

The bakery chain is in talks to find a successor to Grant Thornton.

In the wake of the scandal, chief executive Paul May also stepped down from the group, who was replaced by Francis.

“I am delighted to welcome Steve Francis as new chief executive at Patisserie Holdings plc,” said Chairman Luke Johnson on Francis’s welcome.

“He has a strong track record of restoring value in turnaround situations, especially in the food industry, and the board looks forward to working with him in the revival of the business.”