Sir Philip Green, whose role in the demise of BHS was characterised by parliamentarians as the “unacceptable face of capitalism”, came much closer than previously thought to acquiring Marks & Spencer in 2004, a book on the controversial billionaire claims.
The news that the abrasive tycoon almost won the takeover battle for what many considered to be the jewel in the British high street will be regarded as a close escape by some in the retailing industry, many of whom have long bridled at the billionaire’s brusque nature and delighted in his humbling.
