UK discounter B&M says CEO Arora to retire next year

　　div classBodysc17zpet90 cdBBJodivpLONDON Reuters – British discount retailer B&ampM said on Friday CEO Simon Arora plans to retire in 12 months time after more than 17 years leading the business.p

　　pThe FTSE 100listed firm said a succession process, led by Chairman Peter Bamford, will consider both internal and external candidates.pdivdivdiv classBodysc17zpet90 cdBBJodiv

　　pB&ampM was a regional chain of 21 stores when it was acquired by Simon and Bobby Arora in December 2004. It has since grown into a group of more than 1,100 stores across the United Kingdom and France with a market capitalisation of 5.5 billion pounds 7.2 billion.p

　　p“Having firmly established a strong, entrepreneurial culture and built a talented and experienced senior management team, Simon wishes to plan for retirement,” B&ampM said.p

　　pThe group, the full name of which is B&ampM European Value Retail, said Bobby Arora, the groups trading director, intends to remain with the business in his current role.p

　　p1 0.7682 poundsp