• ”Number” of people approached by Findel
  • Another potential candidate is corporate turnaround specialist David Shearer
  • Negotiations follow failed chairmanship bid by Sports Direct tycoon Mike Ashley

Home shopping group Findel has approached former Home Retail chief executive Terry Duddy to take over as its chairman, according to Sky News.

Duddy is understood to be among “number of people” sounded by advisers to the mail order retailer, after Sports Direct tycoon Mike Ashley failed in his bid.

Another potential candidate is believed to be David Shearer, a specialist in corporate turnarounds.

The role is currently occupied by David Sugden, who decided to quit three weeks ago.

Ashley had thrown his hat into the ring, launching a bid to take on the chairman role, a few months after raising his stake in the business to just below the threshold at which a takeover bid would have to be tabled.

However, this failed, with Findel rejecting it at the end of last month as the company unveiled a 5.3% lift in sales.