Posted: Friday, November 25, 2011 2:33 pm

Kate Bostock

M&S has been forced to deny rumours currently circulating that Kate Bostock is set to leave the company to become managing director at ASOS. The retailer say that if Ms Bostock was leaving they would be obligated to issue a stock exchange announcement.

The press has been rife with speculation that Ms Bostock, head of Marks & Spencer's crucial clothing and homeware unit, is set to leave the retailer for online clothing store ASOS. The rumours seemed to be confirmed when when Ms Bostock failed to deny them at the recent opening of M&S's flagship store at 100 Avenue des Champd Elysees in Paris.

Ms Bostock is one of  the most senior women in retail, regarded by some as the frontrunner to eventually succeed current chief executive, Marc Bolland, who has made no secret of his international ambitions.