Leading a UK business is a “young man’s job”, according to the chief executive of National Express.

Phil White will quit the company at the end of 2006 because he feels too old for the job, the Guardian reports.

He said that such a role was only suitable for a young person, suggesting that age is more important than skills.

“I do very much think the CEO's job is for a young man - not for someone in their late 50s. The world's a lot more competitive these days and people work a lot harder."

This has sparked disapproval from various organisations, notably the charity Age Concern, which challenged his statement.

“Someone's suitability to do a job is not based on their age but on ability and motivation. For most people in their 50s, there is no evidence that job-related capacity declines,” a spokesperson said.