Two men who revived the fortunes of Wickes in the 1990’s are set to be asked to repeat the trick at troubled Focus DIY.
According to newspaper reports this weekend, Bill Grimsey and Bill Hoskins will be installed at Focus DIY if the sale of the retailer to US hedge fund, Cerberus, is rubber-stamped.

The 'Two Bills' - as they are known - will take on the task of reviving the fortunes of Focus which is saddled with debts of around £280m.

Grimsey is expected to take over as chief executive, while Hoskins is tipped to become finance director. The pair turned around Wickes before it was sold to Focus Do-It-All for £289m in 2000.

Current chief executive, Steve Johnson, and other members of the senior management team are expected to leave the company.