London pre-open: Footsie to renew assault on 5600

4th Oct 2010 07:35

London is expected to open cautiously firmer with City traders thinking the FTSE 100 index might just about breach the 5600 barrier at the opening, which would mean a rise of around 7 points from Friday's close.Hovis bread and Branston Pickle owner Premier Foods has confirmed reports in the weekend papers that offers have been made for its meat free business that includes Quorn.Elsewhere it has been a morning of musical chairs in Britain's board rooms.Steve Lucas, the finance director of energy pipeline grid operator National Grid is to retire from the board at the end of this year. His replacement will be ex-Cadbury chief financial officer Andrew Bonfield.Consumer electronics retailer Kesa Electricals has appointed Alan Parker, chief executive of hotels and coffee house group Whitbread to its board as a non-executive director.The chief marketing officer at Ukrainian iron ore producer Ferrexpo has resigned. Simon Wandke who joined the Swiss headquartered resources giant in 2006, will leave at the end of the year.