Appointed in May 2004. Age 58. Stuart is a non-executive director of Land Securities plc and chairman of the British Fashion Council.
He began his career in retail at Marks & Spencer in 1972 before going on to the Burton Group in 1989, becoming chief executive of the Multiples Division in 1994. He left the Group following the demerger in 1997.
Stuart was chief executive of Argos plc in 1998 and later became Chief Executive of Booker plc. Before re-joining Marks & Spencer as chief executive in 2004, he was chief executive of Arcadia Group plc from 2000 until 2002.
He was knighted in the New Year honours list 2007 for services to the retail industry and corporate social responsibility.