The meeting has been called to decide who will run the company in the future, amid fears that the flagship store chain has lost its way on the High Street.

M&S has been thrown into turmoil after a collapse in profits and disappointing sales in the run up to Christmas.

The ailing performance has lead to a bitter boardroom battle as leading M&S directors vie to takeover control of the group.

The retailer's headquarters have been the scene for a escalating boardroom battle

Sir Richard Greenbury, who currently runs the group, is expected to split his role as chairman and chief executive.

His favoured replacement as chief executive is Peter Salsbury, the group's joint managing director.

But Keith Oates, currently deputy chairman of the group, has made a last ditch attempt to win support from other top executives.

A director from outside the company may also be appointed in a senior role in an effort to sort out the boardroom squabble.

The boardroom showdown could come to a head during the meeting.

M&S is under pressure from its investors to announce succession plans which threaten to affect its share price.