Bostock reduces stake in Marks and Spencer before exit

Kate Bostock, who is quitting her role as Executive Director of General Merchandise at Marks and Spencer, has taken advantage of the recent rise in the retailer's share price with a double sale of shares late on Thursday. Bostock, who announced her exit in July but will stay on until October, sold a total of 244,877 shares, taking her stake in the company to just 64,526 shares. 122,160 of the shares were sold post exercise for 356p a pop, while the remaining 122,717 shares were traded in for 359.40p. In total Bostock pocketed £875,934 from the transaction. The director is leaving M&S "by mutual consent to pursue other interests" following a disappointing set of second-quarter results which saw a 2.8% decline in like-for-like UK sales.M&S's share price was given a boost earlier this month after it was reported that financiers were considering making a £6bn bid for the group. The stock has gained over 11% in the past month. Top Director BuysLSL Property Services (LSL) Director name: Mr Simon EmbleyAmount purchased: 180,000 @ 200.00p Value: £360,000LSL Property Services (LSL) Director name: Mr David NewnesAmount purchased: 50,000 @ 200.00p Value: £100,000North Atlantic Smaller Companies Inv Trust (NAS) Director name: Mr Christopher H B MillsAmount purchased: 3,500 @ 1,020.00p Value: £35,700The Real Good Food Company (RGD) Director name: Mr Peter Cecil SalterAmount purchased: 50,000 @ 42.50p Value: £21,250Media Corporation (MDC) Director name: Mr Mark Andrew ButtAmount purchased: 3,000,000 @ 0.60p Value: £18,000F&C Asset Management (FCAM) Director name: Mr Edward BramsonAmount purchased: 17,000 @ 89.97p Value: £15,295Top Director SellsNews Corp. 'A' Shares (NCRA) Director name: Mr Rupert MurdochAmount sold: 182,539 @ $23.30 Value: $4,253,159News Corp. 'A' Shares (NCRA) Director name: Mr Chase CareyAmount sold: 77,290 @ $23.30 Value: $1,800,857News Corp. 'A' Shares (NCRA) Director name: Mr Arthur SiskindAmount sold: 73,491 @ $23.30 Value: $1,712,340News Corp. 'A' Shares (NCRA) Director name: Mr James MurdochAmount sold: 71,358 @ $23.30 Value: $1,662,641News Corp. 'A' Shares (NCRA) Director name: Mr David DeVoeAmount sold: 64,310 @ $23.30 Value: $1,498,423News Corp. 'A' Shares (NCRA) Director name: Mr Rupert MurdochAmount sold: 55,066 @ $23.30 Value: $1,283,038News Corp. 'A' Shares (NCRA) Director name: Mr Rupert MurdochAmount sold: 50,183 @ $23.30 Value: $1,169,264News Corp. 'A' Shares (NCRA) Director name: Mr Chase CareyAmount sold: 43,476 @ $23.30 Value: $1,012,991News Corp. 'A' Shares (NCRA) Director name: Mr Rupert MurdochAmount sold: 40,438 @ $23.30 Value: $942,205News Corp. 'A' Shares (NCRA) Director name: Mr Rupert MurdochAmount sold: 36,852 @ $23.30 Value: $858,652NR