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| Stuart Rose on the EU referendum: 'The sooner we get it done, the better' | Stuart Rose on the EU referendum: 'The sooner we get it done, the better' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Sir Stuart Rose happily admits that the peak of his career is behind him – which is why the Conservative peer believes he is perfect for his new job. | Sir Stuart Rose happily admits that the peak of his career is behind him – which is why the Conservative peer believes he is perfect for his new job. |
| The former chief executive of Marks & Spencer was named as chairman of Britain Stronger in Europe – the group that will lead the campaign to keep the UK in the EU ahead of the referendum on the issue – in October. | The former chief executive of Marks & Spencer was named as chairman of Britain Stronger in Europe – the group that will lead the campaign to keep the UK in the EU ahead of the referendum on the issue – in October. |
| And the 66-year-old thinks being in the twilight of his professional life means he is well-suited to the task – because he has nothing to lose. | And the 66-year-old thinks being in the twilight of his professional life means he is well-suited to the task – because he has nothing to lose. |
| Rose said: “I am a guy with my career behind me so I don’t have to worry about career prospects. I don’t have to worry about my next job. The worst someone can say is that I am some befuddled old guy who doesn’t have a clue.” | Rose said: “I am a guy with my career behind me so I don’t have to worry about career prospects. I don’t have to worry about my next job. The worst someone can say is that I am some befuddled old guy who doesn’t have a clue.” |
| Related: The Guardian view on giving ministers a free vote on Europe | Editorial | Related: The Guardian view on giving ministers a free vote on Europe | Editorial |
| Rose headed Marks & Spencer, the biggest clothing retailer on the high street, between 2004 and 2010. During his period in charge he fought off a takeover bid from Sir Philip Green and delivered record-breaking annual profits of £1bn. | Rose headed Marks & Spencer, the biggest clothing retailer on the high street, between 2004 and 2010. During his period in charge he fought off a takeover bid from Sir Philip Green and delivered record-breaking annual profits of £1bn. |
| Since then, he has picked up a series of part-time non-executive directorships, including as chairman at online grocer Ocado. | Since then, he has picked up a series of part-time non-executive directorships, including as chairman at online grocer Ocado. |
| But for 2016 his challenge will be to keep Britain in the EU. Whether David Cameron decides to call the referendum in 2016 or wait until 2017, Rose will become a familiar face over the next 12 months as he emphasises the benefits of Britain’s EU membership. | But for 2016 his challenge will be to keep Britain in the EU. Whether David Cameron decides to call the referendum in 2016 or wait until 2017, Rose will become a familiar face over the next 12 months as he emphasises the benefits of Britain’s EU membership. |
| He would like to see an early vote and is keen for the prime minister to plump for a referendum this year – even as soon as May. This would avoid “referendum fatigue” and end any uncertainty for businesses. “The sooner we get it done, the better,” he said. | He would like to see an early vote and is keen for the prime minister to plump for a referendum this year – even as soon as May. This would avoid “referendum fatigue” and end any uncertainty for businesses. “The sooner we get it done, the better,” he said. |
| Rose’s appointment was a surprise given he has previously dismissed a move into politics, despite being named a Tory peer in 2014. | |
| However, he insists his new job is not political. Instead, he is simply pushing for something he is passionate about. | However, he insists his new job is not political. Instead, he is simply pushing for something he is passionate about. |
| “I am definitely not a politician, I am a businessman,” he said. “I have always said that, by and large, businessmen make lousy politicians and politicians make lousy businessmen. I stick by that. I am a businessman who cares deeply about my country and where it is going.” | “I am definitely not a politician, I am a businessman,” he said. “I have always said that, by and large, businessmen make lousy politicians and politicians make lousy businessmen. I stick by that. I am a businessman who cares deeply about my country and where it is going.” |
| Rose’s views about the benefits of the EU have developed through his career in business, which included posts at Booker, Iceland and clothing group Arcadia before M&S. | Rose’s views about the benefits of the EU have developed through his career in business, which included posts at Booker, Iceland and clothing group Arcadia before M&S. |
| However, they are rooted in his family. Rose’s grandparents were Russian – his family name was originally Bryantzeff – and fled the revolution of 1917 before his father arrived in Britain in 1939. | However, they are rooted in his family. Rose’s grandparents were Russian – his family name was originally Bryantzeff – and fled the revolution of 1917 before his father arrived in Britain in 1939. |
| “I think by and large, through the ups and downs, Europe has served us well,” he said. “We can never prove the opposite because we can’t go back and rewrite history. But all the signs are that we are better off in a trading block. | “I think by and large, through the ups and downs, Europe has served us well,” he said. “We can never prove the opposite because we can’t go back and rewrite history. But all the signs are that we are better off in a trading block. |
| Related: EU referendum: David Cameron hints vote could be held summer 2016 | Related: EU referendum: David Cameron hints vote could be held summer 2016 |
| “I see it as fairly straightforward. I see the opposite argument as theoretical – we are looking into the unknown. It would be a leap of faith and a leap into the dark. But I respect the fact there is a good healthy debate.” | “I see it as fairly straightforward. I see the opposite argument as theoretical – we are looking into the unknown. It would be a leap of faith and a leap into the dark. But I respect the fact there is a good healthy debate.” |
| Rose’s main task so far was to deliver a speech in October to officially kick off the “in” campaign. It ptompted controversy after it emerged Rose had omitted the word “quitters” from his speech to describe those who want Britain to leave the EU. The word had been in a draft of the speech handed out before Rose spoke, but he then decided not to use it. | |
| “I didn’t want to be emotive on the first day. I wanted to stick to the facts,” he said. “I didn’t want to talk about it in a glib way and wanted to have a serious debate.” | “I didn’t want to be emotive on the first day. I wanted to stick to the facts,” he said. “I didn’t want to talk about it in a glib way and wanted to have a serious debate.” |
| Rose would like to take that approach to the entire campaign. “I don’t want it to be a negative campaign. I want it to be based on absolute facts,” he said. “I believe the British electorate is very, very smart. I believe they will make the right decision, but they need to be well informed.” | Rose would like to take that approach to the entire campaign. “I don’t want it to be a negative campaign. I want it to be based on absolute facts,” he said. “I believe the British electorate is very, very smart. I believe they will make the right decision, but they need to be well informed.” |
| There has been much debate about the role other business leaders should play in the campaign, with Downing Street warning they should avoid public comments while Cameron is attempting to renegotiate Britain’s terms of membership. | There has been much debate about the role other business leaders should play in the campaign, with Downing Street warning they should avoid public comments while Cameron is attempting to renegotiate Britain’s terms of membership. |
| Rose believes that businesses have a duty to inform employees about the key points but should not encourage them to vote in a certain way. | Rose believes that businesses have a duty to inform employees about the key points but should not encourage them to vote in a certain way. |
| “If I have any particularly area of expertise I would like to focus on getting business up to speed with the issues so when the time comes they can speak with authority. | “If I have any particularly area of expertise I would like to focus on getting business up to speed with the issues so when the time comes they can speak with authority. |
| “Personally I believe business has an obligation to inform itself and inform its employees about the pros and cons. Not tell them how to vote, but inform and make sure that employees can go to the ballot box with the facts.” | “Personally I believe business has an obligation to inform itself and inform its employees about the pros and cons. Not tell them how to vote, but inform and make sure that employees can go to the ballot box with the facts.” |
| However, Rose is not naive enough to believe that the debate will revolve solely around facts. | However, Rose is not naive enough to believe that the debate will revolve solely around facts. |
| “We can’t ignore the fact that for 70 years we have had peace and in an uncertain world, I do think it gives us security. I do think there will be an emotional aspect to it, people’s views on immigration will come up.” | “We can’t ignore the fact that for 70 years we have had peace and in an uncertain world, I do think it gives us security. I do think there will be an emotional aspect to it, people’s views on immigration will come up.” |
| Rose was part of the board that set up the Britain Stronger in Europe campaign alongside Peter Mandelson and Roland Rudd, the founder of PR firm Finsbury. When his colleagues suggested he should be chairman and figurehead, his initial response was that there must be someone better for the role. | Rose was part of the board that set up the Britain Stronger in Europe campaign alongside Peter Mandelson and Roland Rudd, the founder of PR firm Finsbury. When his colleagues suggested he should be chairman and figurehead, his initial response was that there must be someone better for the role. |
| However, Rose eventually agreed to take on the job, and now plays a key role in a vote that will shape the lives of his children and grandchildren. “We haven’t had a decision like this for 50 years,” he said. | However, Rose eventually agreed to take on the job, and now plays a key role in a vote that will shape the lives of his children and grandchildren. “We haven’t had a decision like this for 50 years,” he said. |
| At the same time, Rose is continuing as chairman of Ocado and Fat Face, the fashion retailer. | At the same time, Rose is continuing as chairman of Ocado and Fat Face, the fashion retailer. |
| Related: After the Paris attacks, staying in Europe is more important than ever | Hugo Dixon | Related: After the Paris attacks, staying in Europe is more important than ever | Hugo Dixon |
| Ocado is likely to keep Rose busy. It is under pressure from the City to secure a deal to supply an international retailer with its technology, while Amazon’s expansion into grocery could hurt sales in the UK. | Ocado is likely to keep Rose busy. It is under pressure from the City to secure a deal to supply an international retailer with its technology, while Amazon’s expansion into grocery could hurt sales in the UK. |
| Rose said he is confident a deal will be done, despite Ocado boss Tim Steiner saying it would be struck in 2015. “I am old enough to know that deadlines don’t always get met,” Rose said. | Rose said he is confident a deal will be done, despite Ocado boss Tim Steiner saying it would be struck in 2015. “I am old enough to know that deadlines don’t always get met,” Rose said. |
| As for Amazon, Rose said that Ocado was still very well placed to take advantage of dramatic changes in shopping habits as consumers spend more online. | As for Amazon, Rose said that Ocado was still very well placed to take advantage of dramatic changes in shopping habits as consumers spend more online. |
| “The fact that Amazon has come into the market is not a threat or a weakness, it is a sign of where the market is going and the channel shift,” Rose added. | “The fact that Amazon has come into the market is not a threat or a weakness, it is a sign of where the market is going and the channel shift,” Rose added. |
| The online shopping revolution was clear to see in the run-up to Christmas as people chose to snap up deals on Black Friday from the comfort of their sofa rather than the high street. | The online shopping revolution was clear to see in the run-up to Christmas as people chose to snap up deals on Black Friday from the comfort of their sofa rather than the high street. |
| “I think in the first couple of weeks in January there will be a lot of people sat in boardrooms thinking, ‘Well, this was another big change in consumer behaviour,’” said Rose. “I was brought up thinking that the customer is king. The customer is not king anymore [but] master of the universe.” | “I think in the first couple of weeks in January there will be a lot of people sat in boardrooms thinking, ‘Well, this was another big change in consumer behaviour,’” said Rose. “I was brought up thinking that the customer is king. The customer is not king anymore [but] master of the universe.” |