PRESS DIGEST-Financial Times - Feb. 7

Feb 7 (Reuters) - The following are the top stories in the Financial Times. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

Headlines

- Head of UK financial ombudsman quits unexpectedly

- Serco wins recruitment contract for UK armed forces worth up to 1.5 bln stg

- Marks and Spencer appoints former Boohoo head to run clothing division

- HSBC in 15 mln stg pay package talks with CEO Georges Elhedery

Overview

- Abby Thomas, the chief executive and chief ombudsman of Britain's Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), is stepping down after just over two years in the role, the complaints-handling body said.

- Serco Group SRP.L said it has been selected by the UK Ministry of Defence for a contract worth up to 1.5 billion pound ($1.86 billion) to provide recruitment services for the Royal Navy, the British Army, the Royal Air Force and Strategic Command.

- British retailer Marks & Spencer MKS.L said that Richard Price, the boss of its clothing division, is leaving to pursue a portfolio career, and will be succeeded by John Lyttle, the former boss of online fashion retailer Boohoo and budget clothing retailer Primark.

- HSBC HSBA.L is in discussions to grant CEO Georges Elhedery a pay package of up to 15 million pounds ($18.65 million), nearly six months after his appointment and the launch of a major cost-cutting initiative at the bank.

($1 = 0.8043 pounds)