Booker boss rejects talk of a move to M&S

Charles Wilson, the chief executive of cash-and-carry firm Booker Group, today ruled himself out of the running to succeed his former boss Sir Stuart Rose at Marks & Spencer.

Wilson worked under Rose at M&S until 2005 when he joined Booker, and has been tipped as a possible replacement when Rose leaves the High Street chain.

But Wilson today said: "I'm not interested in anything at the moment apart from Booker."

The hunt is on for a successor to Rose, who will stand down by July 2011.

Among those thought to be in contention are Charlie Mayfield of John Lewis, Justin King of Sainsbury's, and M&S high-flyer Kate Bostock.

Wilson declared his intentions as Booker posted a 30% rise in annual profits to £47.2 million.

He also said the economy will be depressed for some time. "We are planning on it being difficult for quite a while," he said. "I would be careful about talking of a recovery just yet."

Booker plans to hold talks in the next few days with administrators PricewaterhouseCoopers over the future of a 22% stake in the business previously held by bust Icelandic bank Kaupthing.