FT owner Pearson (NYSE: PSO) is still holding its strategy steady despite consolidation around it in the financial news market. Challenged by one holder to deliver a “step change” in response to Thomson (NYSE: TOC) Reuters’ (NSDQ: RTRSY) merger, Pearson chairman Glen Moreno conceded dividends had been “lacklustre”, but: “We have, we believe, quite significant growth opportunities ahead of us. These are things being pursued, there are people are in place building these things. We’re also looking for significant add-ons.” Via Graun. There’s further sign of shareholder agitation, however - more than seven percent of shareholders refused to reappoint M&S chairman Lord Burns to their board. The publisher is, nevertheless, launching a Middle East print edition.