# Stuart Rose > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Stuart_Rose > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Stuart_Rose.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuart_Rose > Source revision: 1355880416 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{short description|British businessman and life peer (born 1949)}} {{For|the stamp designer|Stuart Rose (designer)}} {{Use British English|date=September 2020}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}} {{Infobox person | honorific_prefix = [The Right Honourable](/source/The_Right_Honourable) | name = The Lord Rose of Monewden | honorific_suffix = | image = | caption = | birth_name = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1949|03|17}} | birth_place = [Gosport](/source/Gosport), [Hampshire](/source/Hampshire), England | death_date = | death_place = | years_active = 1972–present | occupation = Businessman | title = {{plainlist| * CEO of Burton Group PLC (1994–?) * CEO of [Argos](/source/Argos_(retailer)) (1997–1998) * CEO of [Arcadia Group](/source/Arcadia_Group) (2000–2002) * CEO of [M&S](/source/Marks_%26_Spencer) (2004–2010) * [Executive chairman](/source/Executive_chairman) of M&S (2008–2011) * [Non-executive director](/source/Non-executive_director) of Woolworths Holdings Ltd. (2011–present) * Chairman of Oasis Dental * Chairman of [EG Group](/source/EG_Group) (2021–present) * Chairman of [Asda](/source/Asda) (2021–2024) }} | networth = | children = 2 | political_party = [Conservative](/source/Conservative_Party_(UK)) | spouse = {{marriage|Jennifer Cook|1973|2010|end=div}} | partner = [Kate Reardon](/source/Kate_Reardon) (until 2009) | module = {{Infobox officeholder | embed = yes | office1 = [Member of the House of Lords](/source/Member_of_the_House_of_Lords) | status1 = [Lord Temporal](/source/Lord_Temporal) | term_label1 = [Life peer](/source/Life_peer)age | term_start1 = 17 September 2014 | term_end1 = }} }} '''Stuart Alan Ransom Rose, Baron Rose of Monewden''' (born 17 March 1949) is a [British businessman](/source/British_Business_Bank) and [life peer](/source/life_peer), who was the [executive chairman](/source/Chairman) of [Marks & Spencer](/source/Marks_%26_Spencer) until 2010, remaining as chairman until early 2011. Rose was chairman of online retailer [Ocado](/source/Ocado) from 2013 to July 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2019/05/world-retail-congress-2019-lord-stuart-rose/|title=Lord Rose: Death of the high street is "overblown"|last=Nazir|first=Sahar|date=2019-05-16|website=Retail Gazette|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-01-30}}{{cite web |last1=Miller |first1=Robert |title=Ocado hunts for chairman as Lord Rose steps down |url=https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/companies/article/ocado-hunts-for-chairman-as-lord-rose-steps-down-rglx7l065 |website=Th Times |date=13 July 2020 |publisher=The Times |access-date=14 July 2020}} He has been chairman of [Asda](/source/Asda) since 2021. In October 2015, he was appointed chair of [Britain Stronger in Europe](/source/Britain_Stronger_in_Europe), the official remain campaign in the [2016 referendum on the United Kingdom's membership of the European Union](/source/2016_United_Kingdom_European_Union_membership_referendum).{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/oct/09/stuart-rose-will-chair-campaign-to-keep-britain-in-the-eu|title=EU referendum: Stuart Rose will chair campaign to keep Britain in the union|last=Wintour|first=Patrick|date=9 October 2015|work=The Guardian|access-date=29 December 2018}} Rose served as chairman of Asda from 2021 to 2024 and took on executive responsibilities in September 2024.{{Cite web |title=Mohsin Issa to step back from Asda role to focus on EG Group |url=https://www.lancashirebusinessview.co.uk/latest-news-and-features/mohsin-issa-to-step-back-from-asda-role-to-focus-on-eg-group |access-date=2024-09-21 |website=Lancashire Business View |language=en}} ==Early life== Rose's grandparents were [White Russian](/source/White_Emigre) émigrés who fled to China after the [1917 revolution](/source/1917_revolution). Their son (later named Harry Ransom-Rose) was unofficially adopted by Nona Ransom, a [Quaker](/source/Quaker) from Bedford, [England](/source/England), who served as English tutor to (among others) [Empress Wanrong](/source/Empress_Wanrong) (the last Empress of China), and [Shunryu Suzuki](/source/Shunryu_Suzuki) (the Japanese monk who later established the first Zen monastery outside East Asia).[http://www.cuke.com/Cucumber%20Project/other/nona/hr-on-nr.htm Letter from Harry Ransom-Rose to David Chadwick, February 1996], cuke.com. Accessed 18 January 2023. Nona transported Stuart Rose's father, Harry, to safety in England as war loomed. The original family name was Bryantzeff, which Rose's father, ex-[RAF](/source/RAF) and civil servant, changed.{{cite news|url=http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/article788500.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705180350/http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/article788500.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 July 2008 |title=Interview: Andrew Davidson: Full Marks for Stuart Rose|work=The Sunday Times|date=15 January 2006|access-date=10 March 2014}} His mother's side is English, Scottish and Greek.{{cite episode |title=Desert Island Discs with Stuart Rose as participant|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00nx7mk |series=Desert Island Discs | series-link=Desert Island Discs |network=[BBC](/source/BBC) |station=[Radio 4](/source/BBC_Radio_4) |airdate=22 November 2009}}{{cite news |author=Elizabeth Day |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2009/may/31/marks-and-spencer-stuart-rose |title=As M&S turns 125, its boss Stuart Rose celebrates going green, girl power and chicken jalfrezi ready meals |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=31 May 2009 |access-date=10 March 2014}} The young family lived in a [caravan](/source/travel_trailer) in Warwickshire until Rose senior obtained a posting with the Imperial Civil Service in Tanganyika (now [Tanzania](/source/Tanzania)). Rose went to the Roman Catholic St Joseph's Convent School in [Dar es Salaam](/source/Dar_es_Salaam) until he was 11. When he was 13 years old his family returned to England and his parents sent him to [Bootham School](/source/Bootham_School), an independent Quaker [boarding school](/source/boarding_school) in [York](/source/York). ==Career== Rose first joined [Marks & Spencer](/source/Marks_%26_Spencer) in 1972, as a management trainee. Rose remained with Marks & Spencer until 1989, when he joined the [Burton Group](/source/Burton_(retailer)) as Chief Executive in 1994. The Burton Group demerged, forming the [Arcadia](/source/Arcadia_Group) and [Debenhams](/source/Debenhams) businesses. In 1997, he joined [Argos](/source/Argos_(retailer)) as Chief Executive, where he was charged with defending the company against a takeover bid from the home shopping giant, [Great Universal Stores](/source/Great_Universal_Stores) (GUS). Ultimately, GUS did succeed in taking control of Argos, although Rose was praised for negotiating an increased price for the retailer.{{Cite web|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/gus-offered-argos-chief-chance-to-stay-1161042.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/gus-offered-argos-chief-chance-to-stay-1161042.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=GUS offered Argos chief chance to stay|date=1998-05-06|website=The Independent|language=en|access-date=2020-01-23}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2004/jul/22/5|title=GUS upbeat as sales rise at Argos|last=Treanor|first=Jill|date=2004-07-21|work=The Guardian|access-date=2020-01-23|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}} In a turbulent time in its history, Rose became the Chief Executive of [Booker plc](/source/Booker-McConnell), where he oversaw the merger of the company with [Iceland](/source/Iceland_(supermarket)) to form the [Big Food Group](/source/Big_Food_Group). Rose joined the [Arcadia Group](/source/Arcadia_Group) in 2000 as Chief Executive and left in 2002 following its acquisition. Rose turned around the fortunes of the [Arcadia Group](/source/Arcadia_Group), and sold the group for over £800m, netting himself around £25m as part of the deal. He was appointed to the position of Chief Executive of [Marks & Spencer](/source/Marks_%26_Spencer) in May 2004 at the age of 56 and subsequently fought off takeover bids by [Philip Green](/source/Philip_Green) for the Group.{{Cite web|url=https://www.retail-week.com/sir-stuart-rose-ends-six-year-tenure-at-mands/5020806.article|title=Sir Stuart Rose ends six-year tenure at M&S|date=4 January 2011|website=Retail Week|language=en|access-date=2020-01-23}} For this role he was paid an annual salary of £1,130,000.{{cite web |title=Remuneration |url=http://corporate.marksandspencer.com/documents/publications/2008/lettershareholdersapril08 |date=3 April 2008 |work=Letter to shareholders |publisher=[Marks & Spencer](/source/Marks_%26_Spencer) |format=PDF |page=4 |access-date=18 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090607030014/http://corporate.marksandspencer.com/documents/publications/2008/lettershareholdersapril08 |archive-date=7 June 2009 |df=dmy-all }} In January 2007, he was named the "2006 Business Leader of the Year" by the [World Leadership Forum](/source/World_Leadership_Forum) for his efforts in restoring the fortunes of Marks & Spencer. He was [knighted](/source/Knight_Bachelor) in the [2008 New Year Honours](/source/New_Year_Honours_2008) for services to the retail industry and to corporate social responsibility,{{London Gazette|issue=58557|date=29 December 2007|supp=y}} and was appointed chairman of [Business in the Community](/source/Business_in_the_Community) on 1 January 2008. In 2008, Rose became executive chairman of Marks & Spencer.{{cite web|url=http://investing.businessweek.com/businessweek/research/stocks/people/person.asp?personId=8269276&symbol=MKS.L |title=List of Public Companies Worldwide, Letter |work=Bloomberg BusinessWeek |access-date=10 March 2014}}{{dead link|date=April 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} However, in the light of a recent profits warning, which sparked an unprecedented thirty per cent-plus plunge in the company's shares, this appointment caused some concern to many shareholders.''Irish Times'', 9 July 2008, p.19, Business Today Nevertheless, they voted to re-appoint him at their annual meeting on 9 July 2008. He stepped down as chief executive in May 2010, as executive chairman in July 2010, and as chairman in January 2011 following the appointment of [Robert Swannell](/source/Robert_Swannell).{{Cite web|url=https://www.marketingweek.com/stuart-rose-may-leave-ms-a-bit-earlier-than-expected/|title=Stuart Rose may leave M&S "a bit earlier" than expected|last=Fernandez|first=Joe|date=2010-03-03|website=Marketing Week|language=en|access-date=2020-02-07}} On 19 January 2011, Rose was appointed as a non-executive director of [Woolworths Holdings Ltd](/source/Woolworths_Holdings_Limited), a large South African retail group listed on the [Johannesburg Stock Exchange](/source/JSE_Limited).{{cite news| url=https://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20110120-711138.html | work=The Wall Street Journal | title=Woolworths Names Former Marks & Spencer CEO As Director | date=20 January 2011}} On 6 September 2012, Rose was appointed as non-executive chairman of Dressipi.com, an online personalised fashion service that matches clothes and accessories to a shopper's shape, style and individual preferences.{{cite news| url=https://thenextweb.com/uk/2012/12/07/former-marks-and-spencer-chairman-stuart-rose-to-join-dressipi/ | work=The Next Web | title=Former Marks and Spencer chairman Sir Stuart Rose joins fashion recommendation site Dressipi in advisory role | date=7 December 2012}} In 2013, Rose became an independent non-executive director and chairman of [Ocado](/source/Ocado), the UK internet-only grocery retailer.{{cite web|url=http://otp.investis.com/clients/uk/ocado/rns/regulatory-story.aspx?cid=371&newsid=302837 |title=Directorate Changes |publisher=Otp.investis.com |access-date=10 March 2014}} He was recruited to advise the government on turning around failing hospitals, asked to examine how to improve the organisational culture in under-performing hospitals and ways to recruit talent from inside and outside the NHS in February 2014.{{cite news|title=Sir Stuart Rose To Become Top Health Adviser|url=http://news.sky.com/story/1211370/sir-stuart-rose-to-become-top-health-adviser|access-date=15 March 2014|publisher=Sky News|date=14 February 2014}} In [2014](/source/2014_Special_Honours), Rose was created a [life peer](/source/life_peer) and took a seat on the Conservative benches in the [House of Lords](/source/House_of_Lords).{{cite news|title=Karren Brady and Sir Stuart Rose among new life peers|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-28703150|work=BBC News|date=8 August 2014}} In October 2015, Rose was appointed chair of [Britain Stronger in Europe](/source/Britain_Stronger_in_Europe), the official remain campaign in the [2016 referendum on the United Kingdom's membership of the European Union](/source/2016_United_Kingdom_European_Union_membership_referendum). After stating to a [select committee](/source/Select_committee_(United_Kingdom)) in March 2016 that wages would go up should Britain leave the European Union, his public role was allegedly limited for the rest of the campaign.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/14/lord-stuart-rose-misquoted-post-eu-brexit-wage-increases|title=Lord Stuart Rose 'misquoted' on post-Brexit wage increases|last=Mason|first=Rowena|date=14 June 2016|work=The Guardian|access-date=29 December 2018}} In 2019, Rose dismissed calls for a second referendum, stating that he 'believes in a democratic process', despite being a Remainer.{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/08/20/stuart-rose-former-chairman-remain-campaign-dismisses-calls/|title=Get on with Brexit, says Stuart Rose, former chairman of Remain campaign|last=Yorke|first=Harry|date=2019-08-20|work=The Telegraph|access-date=2020-01-30|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}} In 2015 Rose became Chairman of Time Out Market, owned by [Time Out Group](/source/Time_Out_Group).{{cite news |last1=PR |first1=Time Out |title=Lord Stuart Rose to Become Chairman for Time Out Market |url=https://www.timeout.com/about/latest-news/lord-stuart-rose-to-become-chairman-for-time-out-market-121415 |access-date=27 June 2022 |work=Time Out About}} On 14 July 2020, Rose stepped down from his role as chairman of Ocado.{{cite web |last1=Kleinman |first1=Mark |title=Ocado kicks off hunt for chair to bloom in Rose's place |url=https://news.sky.com/story/ocado-kicks-off-hunt-for-chair-to-bloom-in-roses-place-12027934 |website=Sky News |access-date=14 July 2020}} As of 2020 Rose chaired privately held businesses including Dressipi, an online fashion start-up, and Zenith, a vehicle-leasing and fleet management company. On 21 January 2021, Rose was appointed non-executive chairman of [EG Group](/source/EG_Group).{{Cite news|last=Onita|first=Laura|date=2021-01-21|title=Issa brothers draft in retail veteran Lord Rose as chairman|language=en-GB|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2021/01/21/issa-brothers-draft-retail-veteran-lord-rose-chairman/|access-date=2021-01-24|issn=0307-1235}} On 23 November 2021, Rose was appointed chairman of Asda as its first dedicated chairman in more than 20 years.{{cite web |last1=Butler |first1=Sarah |title=Asda appoints former M&S boss Stuart Rose as new chairman |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/nov/23/asda-appoints-former-marks-and-spencer-boss-stuart-rose-as-new-chairman |website=Guardian |date=23 November 2021 |access-date=24 November 2021}} On 19 September 2024, Rose took on executive responsibilities at Asda, leading day-to-day operations alongside TDR Capital's Rob Hattrell. ==Personal life== His mother, who had a history of [depression](/source/Major_depressive_disorder), [took her own life](/source/Suicide) at the age of 49.[https://www.theguardian.com/global/2009/nov/22/stuart-rose-desert-island-discs Marks and Spencer's Sir Stuart Rose comes clean on Desert Island Discs], ''[The Observer](/source/The_Observer)'', 22 November 2009 She took an overdose combined with alcohol when Rose was 26 years old.[https://web.archive.org/web/20100516030349/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/5427513/Sir-Stuart-Rose-after-a-year-of-turbulence-the-MandS-boss-expects-a-happy-landing.html Sir Stuart Rose: after a year of turbulence the M&S boss expects a happy landing], ''[The Daily Telegraph](/source/The_Daily_Telegraph)'', 2 June 2009 Rose lives in [Central London](/source/Central_London) and [Suffolk](/source/Suffolk). He married Jennifer Cook in 1973 in [Marylebone](/source/Marylebone). They had one son and one daughter. After they separated, Rose lived with fashion writer [Kate Reardon](/source/Kate_Reardon). Then, after separating from Reardon in 2009, and stepping down from his positions at M&S, Rose and Cook divorced in 2010.{{cite news | url = https://www.thetimes.com/article/sir-stuart-rose-the-mands-exit-interview-0v2fwqzzjx3 | title = Sir Stuart Rose: The M&S exit interview | date = 2010-09-04 | access-date = 2020-09-26 | work = [The Times](/source/The_Times) }} {{subscription required}} ==Honours== In 2007, Rose was awarded an [Honorary Doctorate](/source/Honorary_Doctorate) by [Heriot-Watt University](/source/Heriot-Watt_University).{{Cite web|url=http://www1.hw.ac.uk/annual-review/2007/people_awards.html|title=Annual Review 2007 : Principal's Review|website=www1.hw.ac.uk|access-date=29 March 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305032855/http://www1.hw.ac.uk/annual-review/2007/people_awards.html|archive-date=5 March 2016|df=dmy-all}} The following year, he was [knighted](/source/Knight_Bachelor) in the [2008 New Year Honours](/source/2008_New_Year_Honours) for services to the retail industry and to corporate social responsibility.{{London Gazette |issue=58803 |date=22 August 2008 |page=12885}} In 2009, the [University of East Anglia](/source/University_of_East_Anglia) conferred upon him an Honorary [Doctor of the University](/source/Doctor_of_the_University) degree (Hon. D.Univ.).[https://www.uea.ac.uk/about/alumni-and-supporters/honorary-awards/honorary-graduates/sir-stuart-rose-honorary-doctor-of-the-university-2009 Rose, Sir Stuart - Honorary Doctor of the University (2009)] - website of the [University of East Anglia](/source/University_of_East_Anglia) On 16 July 2010, he was awarded an Honorary [Doctor of Laws](/source/Doctor_of_Laws) (Hon. LL.D) from the [University of Leeds](/source/University_of_Leeds), the same university from which his son graduated.{{cite web|url=http://www.leeds.ac.uk/info/30310/honorary_graduates/304/sir_stuart_rose |title=Sir Stuart Rose|publisher=University of Leeds |date=16 July 2010 |access-date=10 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120922011014/http://www.leeds.ac.uk/info/30310/honorary_graduates/304/sir_stuart_rose |archive-date=22 September 2012 }} He later received an Honorary Doctorate from the [University of York](/source/University_of_York) in 2013.[https://www.york.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/2013/events/honorary-degrees-july/ University of York awards nine honorary degrees] - website of the [University of York](/source/University_of_York) On 8 August 2014, it was announced that Rose was going to be a Conservative peer in the [House of Lords](/source/House_of_Lords).{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/working-peerages-announced-2014 |title=Press release - Working peerages announced: 2014|publisher=[gov.uk](/source/gov.uk) |date=8 August 2014 |access-date=29 March 2026 }} Subsequently, on 17 September 2014, he was created a [life peer](/source/life_peer) taking the title '''Baron Rose of Monewden''', of [Monewden](/source/Monewden) in the [County of Suffolk](/source/County_of_Suffolk).{{cite web |title=Crown Office Notice No. 2199440 |url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/2199440 |date=19 September 2014|work=The Edinburgh Gazette|publisher=[HMSO](/source/HMSO)|access-date=19 September 2014}}{{London Gazette |issue=60995 |date=23 September 2014 |page=18458}} Rose is a Fellow of [WWF-UK](/source/WWF-UK).[https://www.wwf.org.uk/who-we-are/fellows WWF-UK Fellows] - website of the [World Wide Fund for Nature](/source/World_Wide_Fund_for_Nature) ==References== {{Reflist}} {{s-start}} {{s-bus}} {{s-bef|before=[Roger Holmes](/source/Roger_Holmes_(businessman))}} {{s-ttl|title=CEO of [Marks & Spencer](/source/Marks_%26_Spencer)|years=2004–2010}} {{s-aft|after=[Marc Bolland](/source/Marc_Bolland)}} {{s-ppo}} {{s-new|office}} {{s-ttl|title=Chair of the [Britain Stronger in Europe Campaign](/source/Britain_Stronger_in_Europe)|years=2015–2016}} {{s-non|reason=Position abolished}} {{s-prec|uk}} {{s-bef|before=[The Lord Goddard of Stockport](/source/Baron_Goddard_of_Stockport)}} {{s-ttl|title=[Gentlemen](/source/Orders_of_precedence_in_the_United_Kingdom)'''
''Baron Rose of Monewden'' '''}} {{s-fol|after=[The Lord Cooper of Windrush](/source/Baron_Cooper_of_Windrush)}} {{s-end}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Rose, Stuart}} Category:1949 births Category:British chief executives in retailing Category:People educated at Bootham School Category:English businesspeople in fashion Category:English businesspeople in retailing Category:English people of Greek descent Category:English chief executives Category:English people of Russian descent Category:English people of Scottish descent Category:Knights Bachelor Category:Living people Category:People from Gosport Category:Conservative Party (UK) life peers Category:Life peers created by Elizabeth II Category:People associated with Heriot-Watt University Category:People associated with the University of Leeds Category:Businesspeople awarded knighthoods --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Stuart Rose](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuart_Rose) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuart_Rose?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.