Marks & Spencer chief executive Stuart Rose has been knighted in the New Year Honours list, for services to retail and his contribution to corporate responsibility.
The delighted 58-year-old, credited with effecting a turnaround at M&S since becoming chief executive in summer 2004, said the honour was as much for his colleagues at the chain as for himself. Sir Stuart said: "Naturally I am delighted, but it is as much for everyone at M&S as it is for me."
Sir Stuart started out as an M&S management trainee in 1972 and stayed for 17 years, during which time he worked his way up to become head of the firm's European division in Paris.
He moved onto Burton Group where he became buying and merchandising director for Debenhams, before returning to M&S and the post he said he had waited his whole career for. When Sir Stuart took the helm of M&S he vowed to woo back the retailer's "neglected" female customers in the key 35 to 55 age range.
The results to date have been a success.
