Booker non-exec shops for shares

A non-executive director of FTSE 250-listed Booker, a cash and carry firm, has bought £39,315 worth of shares in his first purchase.

Stewart Gilliland bought 50,000 shares at 78.63p each, having previously had none, just one week after the firm announced a 22% rise in its pre-tax interim profits.

54-year-old Gilliland joined the board at the end of last year having recently retired as chief executive of Muller Dairies UK and Ireland.

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In the 24 weeks to 9 September, Booker's pre-tax profits climbed to £45m from £36.9m over the same period the previous year, on sales that were up by 8.5% at £1.8bn.

On a like-for-like basis, total sales were up by 6.5% (or 5.1% when tobacco is stripped out). The interim dividend rises to 0.33p a share from 0.27p.

Top Director Buys

Booker Group (BOK)

Director name: Mr Stewart Gilliland

Amount purchased: 50,000 @ 78.63p

Value: £39,315

Healthcare Locums (HLO)

Director name: Mr Andrew McRae

Amount purchased: 200,000 @ 5.50p

Value: £11,000

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