Rose backed over dual role

STANDARD Life Investments has backed Marks & Spencer's Sir Stuart Rose over his dual role of chairman and chief executive.

Sir Stuart has faced criticism from shareholders over the dual role and there have been calls for him to stand down from one of the roles.

But Edinburgh-based SLI, which owns one per cent of shares in M&S, said it will not join the calls.

In a statement, it said: "Standard Life is not calling for a change in role for Stuart Rose but looking to make sure the current arrangements work effectively."