South African entrepreneur Mr Mark Paulsmeier said today his Paulsmeier Group was not leading nor contemplating making any takeover bid for British retailer Marks & Spencer Group.
"The group has been involved in the facilitation of a possible management buyout for Marks & Spencer but, in the light of developments, has decided to dissociate itself from any transaction involving a bid for the company and will not have any further involvement with this project," he said.
Mr Paulsmeier said in a brief statement issued through the London Stock Exchange that it was not a financier of takeover bids or other transactions.
"The group is not leading, nor contemplating making, any takeover bid for Marks & Spencer and would not wish to be part of any such bid," it added.
Mr Paulsmeier's move to distance itself from any deal involving a M&S bid came two days after it said it would seek the backing of M&S employees to carry out a 410 pence per share management buyout.
In a statement on Tuesday, a spokesman for Mr Paulsmeier said the Paulsmeier Group had access to funds from a 50,000-strong investment syndicate, but any deal would be contingent on obtaining the support of 75 per cent of M&S employees.
The news led to very heavy trading in M&S on Tuesday with the shares rising sharply late in the session amid speculation regarding the possible bid.
Earlier on the same day, entrepreneur Philip Green, the billionaire owner of the Arcadia fashion chain, denied he was planning any fresh approach for Marks & Spencer.