Investors and analysts raised concerns that Inditex’s new leadership lacked the experience and track record of their predecessors. 

Analysts at Kepler said: “We believe that the timing is not the best … as we believe that both Marta Ortega and the CEO Oscar Maceiras have a lot to prove when it comes to their ability to run this big monster in the middle of the Covid crisis.”

Cedric Rossi, an analyst at Bryan Garnier, added: “Although this transition phase seemed to have been prepared internally, the departure of Pablo Isla may leave a great void in the near-term.”

Inditex said that the appointments completed a “generational handover process” that began in 2011 when its founder Amancio Ortega stepped down as chairman.

Ms Ortega’s reclusive father Amancio founded Inditex in 1975 when he opened its first shop with his ex-wife, Rosalia. 

He owns a 59pc stake in Inditex and is one of the world’s richest men, with a net worth of $71bn (£53bn), according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Inditex, which also owns Pull&Bear and Stradivarius, has grown to dominate high streets with 6,600 shops around the world.

Ms Ortega was educated at a Swiss boarding school before studying business management in London and while working as an assistant in a Bershka shop on King’s Road in west London.