Annual report and accounts 2023 - Flipbook - Page 73
Corporate Governance
Strategic Report
Accounts
David J. Ritchie
Susan V. Barratt
Nicholas B. E. Wharton
Zoe Howorth
Julie A. Barr
B.A. (Hons), A.C.A.
B.A. (Hons), A.C.A.
A.C.A.
B.A. (Hons)
M.A. (Hons), L.L.B. (Dip), M.B.A. (Int.)
Non-Executive Director
Senior Non-Executive Director
Non-Executive Director
Non-Executive Director
Company Secretary
Susan is a Chartered Accountant and
spent the early part of her career in
senior finance roles at Geest plc,
Whitbread plc and Laurel Pub
Company. Subsequently Susan has
been CEO at Eldridge Pope plc, Natures
Way Foods Limited and is currently CEO
of IGD, a not-for-profit organisation that
sits at the heart of the food industry.
Susan has also been Non-Executive
Chair of Higgidy Limited.
Nick is a qualified Chartered Accountant
and has held senior executive roles
across retail and FMCG businesses.
He was formerly CFO of listed retailers
Pepco NV, Superdry plc and Halfords
Group plc and CEO of Dunelm plc. He
is a Non-Executive Director and Chair
of the Audit Committee of the Swedish
multinational personal care business
Oriflame Investment Holding plc,
having previously held similar roles at
Mothercare plc.
An economics graduate, Zoe has had a
successful career spanning a range of
roles at Procter and Gamble, United
Biscuits and The Coca-Cola Company
where she spent 16 years, culminating
in her role as UK Marketing Director
from 2010 – 2013. Zoe has also held a
number of non-executive director roles
with private companies.
Julie is a qualified lawyer with a
background in corporate law. In
addition to being Company Secretary,
she heads up the Group’s risk and
legal teams and sits on the Executive
Committee. She is also a Trustee of
the Company’s pension scheme.
Biography
David is a qualified Chartered
Accountant and former Chief Executive
of Bovis Homes Group plc (Bovis). He
joined Bovis in 1998 from KPMG as
Group Financial Controller, becoming
Group Finance Director in 2002 and
Chief Executive in 2008.
David brings significant operational
experience and governance knowledge
from his 15 years leading a listed
FTSE250 company, plus strong financial
oversight through his 30 years as a
financial professional.
Susan brings considerable operational
and commercial experience and
knowledge of the FMCG industry.
Nick brings extensive finance and
retail experience both in the UK and
internationally and substantial plc and
governance experience from executive
and non-executive roles on listed
company boards.
Zoe brings extensive FMCG experience,
specifically across the food and
beverage sector, as well as consumer
brand marketing capability and direct to
consumer digital understanding.
If elected, Julie will replace her father
Robin Barr as a non-executive director.
Julie will step down as Company
Secretary but otherwise will continue
as an employee of the Company in her
current role. For the purposes of the UK
Corporate Governance Code, Julie Barr
is not independent.
Term of Office
Joined the Company in April 2015
as a Non-Executive Director.
Joined the Company in January 2018
as a Non-Executive Director.
Joined the Company in November
2018 as a Non-Executive Director.
Joined the Company in July 2021
as a Non-Executive Director.
Joined the Company in 2004.
Appointed Company Secretary in 2008.
CEO of The Institute of Grocery
Distribution, Non-Executive Director
of Edward Billington and Son Limited.
Non-Executive Director of Oriflame
Investment Holding plc.
Non-Executive Director of Water Babies
International, Non-Executive Director of
International Schools Partnership
Limited.
Non-Executive Director of Gabriel
Precision Oncology Limited.
Audit and Risk Committee
Nomination Committee
Remuneration Committee
Environmental, Social and
Governance Committee.
Audit and Risk Committee (Chair)
Nomination Committee.
Remuneration Committee
Environmental, Social and
Governance Committee (Chair).
Environmental, Social and
Governance Committee.
External Appointments
CEO of WElink Homes UK, Chair of
Aspire LPP Limited.
Committee Membership
Audit and Risk Committee
Nomination Committee
Remuneration Committee (Chair).
71
