Ilkley's growing reputation as the home of choice for the country's leading businessmen has been enhanced by Richard Baker's appointment as chief executive of Boots.

He was formerly chief operating officer at Wal-Mart (which owns Asda) in Leeds, and his new role means Ilkley now has four residents holding key posts with FTSE-100 companies - including James Crosby, boss of HBOS, and David Jones, head of clothing chain Next.

The town also has a pair of businessmen who have pivotal roles with two of Yorkshire's largest sports clubs - John McKenzie, chairman of Leeds United, and Brian Bouttell, a member of Yorkshire Cricket Club's management team.

While keen to keep a low profile in his home town, Mr Baker still found time to talk to the Ilkley Gazette about the 'business capital' tag which Ilkley is starting to get.

He said: "I don't know what it is. It's a funny thing, but Ilkley is a lovely place to live, it's a nice spot. So maybe that's what is attracting them all here. I've lived here for eight years now.

"Actually, they say people's careers end when they come to Ilkley, because it's so nice they refuse to move again!"

He has already declared his aim to be to ensure that Boots is a competitive, modern operation, but prefers not to discuss his plans in detail until he actually takes up his new post in September.

One person who has no doubts that he will be up to the task is Conservative MP Archie Norman, former Asda chairman. "Richard is bright," he said, "he listens well.

"He was a big part of the process of change and development at Asda. He will get on well with people at all levels and he will bring a sense of urgency and pace to the company."

A keen hockey and tennis player ("I do my best to keep in shape"), Mr Baker hopes to still find time to play for Ben Rhydding Hockey Club and Ilkley Lawn Tennis and Squash Club.