Stewart back on the board

Martha Stewart, the American home decorating and cooking guru, is back on the board of the company that bears her name, five years after being convicted of insider trading. Her ban on being a director expired this week.

Charlotte Beers, nominating committee chairman at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, the media and merchandising group, said: "Martha inspires all of us, and her participation is indispensable to shaping the company's future."

Ms Stewart, who remained creative director at her company throughout her ban, was convicted of trading a biotech company's shares after receiving an inside tip.

She was jailed for five months.