Former Somerfield chief executive Alan Smith could be in line to head up high street hardware chain Robert Dyas.

The Financial Times reported that Change Capital, a private equity firm set up last year by Marks and Spencer chairman Luc Vandevelde, is close to buying Robert Dyas for about £60m.

The FT said Smith, ousted as chief executive of Somerfield 18 months ago, could be its new head.