Marks & Spencers chairman Paul Myners is to be replaced by Lord Burn following months of boardroom infighting over his future.
Myners is set to step down from the role in July 2006, following reports of a rift between himself and non-executive director Kevin Lomax.
Lord Burns, currently chairman of Abbey and Welsh Water, will initially join the struggling retailer as deputy chairman from October 1.
Marks & Spencer is still struggling to improve its sales, which were down 4.9 per cent in the 13 weeks to 2 April.
A former high ranking civil servant in the treasury, Lord Burns is also a non-executive director of Pearson, owner of the Financial Times, and also of property group British Land.
