In an emotional climax to last night?s gala dinner, McLaughlin told 250 HMV staff and suppliers? representatives, that he was stepping away from a full-time role.

McLaughlin, who first joined HMV 36 years ago as a senior sales assistant and who rose to head the chain?s UK, European and global operations as well as chairing UK music retail association Bard, will step down from his full-time role as HMV Group COO from the end of this year. He will remain ...