OpCapita, Sycamore Partners looking to buy Clarks stake - report

The owner of football gaming company Football Pools was said on Friday to be looking to buy a stake in beleaguered shoe retailer Clarks.

According to Sky News, European private equity firm OpCapita is among a small number of parties vying to provide new funding to Clarks. It cited sources as saying that US buyout firm Sycamore Partners, which specialises in retail and consumer industry investments, was also in talks about becoming a shareholder in the retailer.

Sky said at least one other party was in talks with Clarks about a deal.

The retailer announced in May that it was planning to cut 900 office jobs and create 200 jobs as part of a major shake-up.

Sources told Sky on Friday that Clarks chief executive Giorgio Presca had recruited Suzanne McKenna, the former boss of lingerie brand Triumph, as the managing director of the company's own-brand Clarks unit.

A spokesperson for Clarks confirmed to Sky that McKenna will join the business in August.