Simon Mackenzie-Smith, global co-head of consumer retail investment banking at Merrill Lynch, has picked up his third UK mergers and acquisitions mandate in six weeks, advising Selfridges, the UK retailer.

Selfridges said it had received an approach, reported to be from UK entrepreneur Tom Hunter, at a "substantial premium" to its closing price on Wednesday. The proposal is said to value the company at around £560m (€812m).