Keynote SpeakersLord Stuart Rose has worked in retail for over 50 years, leading some of the UK’s largest high-street brands.
Lord Rose started his retail career as a management trainee at Marks & Spencer in 1972 – a company he would later turn around.
In 1989, he joined the Burton Group. Following the Group’s demerger in 1997, he became Chief Executive of Argos plc.
In 1998, Stuart Rose became Chief Executive of Booker plc, which was merged with the Iceland Group in 2000.
He became Chief Executive of Arcadia Group plc in November 2000 and left in December 2002 following its acquisition.
He was named Chief Executive of Marks & Spencer in May 2004 and became Chairman in 2008 – a position he held until January 2011.
Stuart Rose was knighted for services to the Retail Industry and Corporate Social Responsibility and created a Life Peer in September 2014, taking the title Baron Rose of Monewden.
In 2013, Lord Rose joined Ocado, the online supermarket, as Chairman Designate and later took over the role of Chairman.
Between 2021 and 2024, Lord Rose was Chairman of ASDA.
Lord Rose is also Chairman of Zenith Automotive and EG Group, a leading global petrol forecourt retail convenience operator.
Lord Rose was appointed chairman of the Britain Stronger in Europe campaign, which aims to keep Britain in the EU.
Lord Stuart Rose – Keynote Speaker
Credited with transforming some of Britain’s most popular high-street brands, Lord Rose’s leadership at M&S turned its decaying performance and sales around, restoring it to the great British brand it once was.
As a keynote speaker, Lord Rose focuses on topics such as:
- Retail
- Leadership
- Performance Transformation
- The Importance of Vision and Execution
- Ethical and Sustainable Business
- Customer Service
- Management
- Corporate Social Responsibility
