There has been renewed speculation that Marks & Spencer’s general merchandise supremo Kate Bostock is to leave the retailer.

Bostock’s departure could be disclosed before or at M&S’s annual general meeting on July 10, the Financial Times reported.

Bostock was linked with fashion etailer Asos in December and has reportedly been thinking about leaving M&S for more than a year.

She has again been linked with a move to Asos but could also take time out from work.

Marks & Spencer chief executive Marc Bolland has tried to retain Bostock, and she may yet stay at the business. However Bolland has begun a search for her replacement, the newspaper reported.

M&S declined to comment on the speculation.

The news of Bostock’s possible departure came after it emerged that M&S head of menswear Richard Price is leaving to become managing director of Bhs.