Asos chief executive Nick Robertson insists he is not looking for a managing director, a role M&S outgoing clothing boss Kate Bostock was widely tipped to be in the running for.

When asked if Bostock was in the running for an Asos role, Robertson said: “Don’t believe everything you read in the newspapers. We’re not looking for a managing director.”

However Robertson, who was celebrating a 31% sales jump in Asos’ first quarter, said he was looking for a retail director for the fast-growing online giant.

He said: “We’re looking for someone with considerable retail pedigree to join the business.”

Robertson said he expected to appoint its new retail director in the next few months.