Stuart Rose has worked in retail for over 30 years starting at Marks & Spencer plc in 1972 and joining the Burton Group in 1989. Following the Group's demerger in 1997 he became Chief Executive of Argos plc. In 1998 he 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 plc in May 2004 and became Chairman in 2008. He stood down as Chairman in January 2011. He was Chairman of Business in the Community from 2008 – 2010, is a non-executive director of Land Securities plc and sits on the Advisory Committee of Bridgepoint.

Stuart was knighted in 2008 for services to the retail industry and corporate social responsibility.