In 1985, the Egyptian Al-Fayed brothers won control of the House of Fraser in London and thus gained control of the department store Harrods.

CNN: Wednesday,

In addition to Mr Johnson and Mr McNulty, the panel includes Merrick Cockell, chair of London Councils, Harvey McGrath, chair of the London Development Agency, Stuart Fraser from the City of London and other key business and union leaders.

BBC: London's new 'high-powered' help

Jennings, a respected retailer, who in recent years ran Woolworth South Africa and previously held senior positions with Debenhams in London, Saks Fifth Avenue in New York, Harrods and House of Fraser in England, Brown Thomas in Ireland and Holt Renfrew in Canada.

FORBES: Karstadt -- Lack of Money, Excitement and Growth Equals a Slow Death