As a small shareholder and customer I think Stuart Rose has and is doing a good job for M&S - do the overpaid people in Schroders or L&G ever shop in M&S? - I doubt it - he is a strong manager and they don't like it.

Poly, London, England

As a small shareholder in M&S. I think it sets a bad example that one man should take on both rolls for a major company.

I was not asked to vote on this appointment and feel that it is just wrong.

Stuart Rose should take on one or other of the apointments but not both.

Paul, Droitwich Spa, UK

Boffin 29.3.08 6.47
I am glad to see the amount of people that share my view with regards to the upgrading of Stuart Rose, he most certainly did not bring M& S out of the doldrums, it was purely more luck than judgement that they started to climb the ladder, through past experience, never have I seen any value for money since he has received his pat on the back, but you will see in the near future M& S shares were caused by a flash in the pan as I wrote in my comments a week ago in the express, mark my words, his promotion will do nothing for M&S.

Stanley Stephens, Gamlingay South Cambs., England

Boffin 29.3.08 7.06pm
I have been reading the other comments on behalf of Stuart Rose,and dont mean to be rude in any way, but I would like to ask I Kemp,Nahiriya, Israel.) just why she thinks so highly of this gentleman, give me two reasons why he is the man for the job, and I will give you half dozen reasons why he is not..

Stanley Stephens, Gamlingay South Cambs., England.

What is the point in paying an additional inflated salary to an external worthy, who perhaps knows nothing about the business, to chair meetings? Stuart Rose has shown he has the measure of the business, is popular among staff and small investors, and is clearly capable of running board meetings as well as the business. There are enough other voices on the board to query any policies or actions by the Chief Executive, - if they are so inclined! This small shareholder is perfectly content for Stuart Rose to become executive chairman.

Alan, Reading, UK

I worked in investor relations and was also appalled that when asking for forecasts some fund managers asked for and then followed others opinion.

I work for M&S now and yes it is a mammoth of a company in a volatile, fickle sector. What a change for the company when Rose came on board. Before I was sick of hearing customers comments about how badly we were doing. Fed by the media witch hunt at the time, customer confidence plummeted and staff morale was almost non existent.

The Autumn/Winter 2005 changed this and the way we present the product. I know nothing of the logistics of stock etc and yes it is infuriating when a popular product sells out. But I'd love to see some of the critics actually take this beast on and do better.

I love working for M&S, totally believe in the product, our innovation, committment to excellence and respect we have for our customers.

I am a simple shop assistant, earning £6.80 an hour

Victoria, Tavistock,

Schroders and Co are making a huge mistake. If M & S is "bigger than any individual" one has only Stuart Rose to thank for it being were it is and turned around. It seems that Mr Buxton being given the "brush off" by Burns has made it a matter of "getting even". If M & S lose Stuart Rose it will be to the detriment of the retailer and ALL investors

I.Kemp, Nahariya, Israel

Don't you just love these "investors" who have never run a business in their lives telling the few successful people in the UK how or how not to run their companies....get a grip lads.

I was involved in "the City" and went, as FD of an up an coming listed company, to an investment briefing lunch and asked the young guy next to me how much he had to invest each week and how he decided what to do....he said he had £1 million a week to invest for his company and that he only followed whatever the guy (an older investment manager) at the other end of the table (stuffed on red wine) in whatever he did as he could not then be blamed.

These guys get rich for doing nothing and, do not get me wrong, I would welcome the opportunity of doing the same and working as hard (or as little) as they do yet not have any real responsibility

Tony, London,