Coleman wants to stay at House of Fraser

House of Fraser chief executive John Coleman admitted today he is desperate to keep his top job at the department store group after its sale to Highland Acquisitions is completed.

Coleman told Retail Week: 'My valedictory message to the market is House of Fraser has stronger like-for-like sales than its rivals and they are in-line with market expectations.'

He continued: 'In fashion, we have transformed from a dowdy group to always having the latest lines in-store and 63 per cent of space has been modernised. We have fantastic systems and logistics, with the strongest store roll out programme [of department stores] in the pipeline. We have also made two great acquisitions [Jenners and Beatties] and secured a great deal on our store card. This is why we have done well in the last 10 years.'

Coleman said he did not know whether Highland - an investment vehicle led by Baugur that intends to buy the company for 148p a share in cash, valuing the company at£351.4 million - would keep him on. But he said: 'I am very intent on staying and working for the business to accomplish more. Whatever happens, I will always wish this company the best.'

Coleman confirmed an announcement on the chief executive role is expected in November.