Leadership

Term of office: Appointed as Non-Executive August 2015 and Chair May 2019.

Robin’s contribution to the Board, key strengths, skills and reasons for re-election: Robin brings to the Board extensive transformation and diversification experience from leading global and digital businesses. He was Chief Financial Officer of Pearson PLC from 2006 to 2015, and Deputy Chief Financial Officer prior to that. Robin has also held senior financial positions at Amersham plc (2000 to 2004), Henkel Ltd (1995 to 2000) and ICI plc (1984 to 1995). Robin has extensive global and digital business leadership experience and has an in-depth understanding of governance requirements having served as both an Executive and Non-Executive Director of a number of listed companies. Robin brings financial insight as well as an understanding of how to attract and retain talent as Chair of the Board and Nomination Committee.

External appointments: Robin is Lead Director of Capri Holdings (formerly Michael Kors Holdings Limited) and Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee of Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings plc.

Term of Office: Jonathan was appointed as Chair Designate in July 2024 and will become Chair of the Board on 1 January 2025.

Jonathan qualified as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG and accumulated 25 years of investment banking experience, acting as advisor to the Boards of large predominantly UK public companies, before becoming Vice Chairman of Corporate and Institutional Banking at Standard Chartered Bank, retiring in April 2023. Additionally, Jonathan is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales. 

External Appointments: Jonathan is a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee of The Sage Group plc and Senior Independent Director and Chair of the Audit Committee at Next plc. He also chairs the Audit and Risk Committee on the Court of The Bank of England. 

Term of office: Appointed September 2020.

Peter’s contribution to the Board, key strengths, skills and reasons for re-election: Peter has extensive experience in digital businesses – he was previously CEO of Just Eat, Chief Commercial Officer at easyJet and was responsible for the launch of internet banking at Barclays.  Peter started his career in banking, working for TSB, Yorkshire Bank and Barclays then moving to Audi as the UK Marketing Director.  Peter has an excellent overall track record and a dynamic leadership style. He has very relevant experience in driving digital revenues and all aspects of marketing.  He is well rounded from a sector perspective having worked in financial services, airlines, automotive and consumer internet.  This mix has given him plenty of exposure to operating in a regulated environment.

Term of office: Appointed June 2018.

Sarah’s contribution to the Board, key strengths, skills and reasons for re-election: Sarah has experience of building valuable brands across consumer sectors. She was previously Chief Executive Officer of Lovehoney and, before that, Chief Growth Officer of HyperJar Ltd. Prior to that, Sarah was Chief Marketing Officer at J Sainsbury plc and Marketing Director of Heineken UK. She is a fellow of the Marketing Society and Marketing Academy. A proven leader, with strong people and communications skills, Sarah brings valuable experience to her role as Non-Executive Director and designated NED for consumers.

External appointments: Sarah is Chief Customer Officer at Nando’s UK&I.

Term of office: Appointed September 2019.

Caroline’s contribution to the Board, key strengths, skills and reasons for re-election: Caroline has a strong financial background, retiring as Audit Partner at Deloitte LLP after 30 years of service (2000 to 2018 as Audit Partner). Caroline is an FCA of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and holds an MA in Economics from Cambridge University. Caroline’s strong financial background and regulatory experience make her ideally skilled to chair the Audit Committee and she brings to the Board valuable governance and risk management expertise.

External appointments: Caroline is a Non-Executive Director of Sirius Real Estate Limited where she is Chair of the Audit Committee and a member of the Nomination Committee. Caroline is also a Non-Executive Director of Revolut Limited where she is Chair of the Audit Committee and a member of the Risk and Remuneration Committees and of the Supervisory Council of Revolut Bank UAB; a member of the Audit, Finance, Risk and Investment Committee of Make-A-Wish International; and a Trustee of the Royal Opera House.

Term of office: Appointed July 2023.

Mary Beth’s contribution to the Board, key strengths, skills and reasons for election: Mary Beth (‘MB’), a former Chief Product Officer and Chief Operating Officer, brings to the Board over 25 years of experience in digital product, tech, data and operations across several sectors, including insurance, media, travel, property and e-commerce.

External appointments: MB is a Non-Executive Director of Open Banking Limited.

Term of office: Appointed October 2022.

Rakesh’s contribution to the Board, key strengths, skills and reasons for re-election: Rakesh is a former Chief Executive Officer and brings to the Board over 30 years’ broad experience from the tech and cyber industries. Having successfully overseen remuneration policy updates as Remuneration Committee Chair at PayPoint plc, he brings valuable experience to the Board as Chair of the Remuneration Committee and Employee Champion.

External appointments: Rakesh is currently the Senior Independent Director and Remuneration Committee Chair at PayPoint plc and Chairman of AIM-listed Kromek Group plc.

Term of office: Appointed September 2021.

Lesley’s contribution to the Board, key strengths, skills and reasons for re-election: Lesley was previously a Non-Executive Director of N Brown Group plc, ReAssure Group plc (where she chaired the Risk Committee), Northern Bank Limited and Close Brothers Group plc (where she also chaired the Risk Committee). Lesley started her career at Citigroup Inc. where she held a number of senior roles in relationship and risk management over a period of 30 years. She then spent over five years at RBS Group plc as Group Chief Credit Officer where she rebalanced the Group’s credit risk appetite, established a market-leading credit function and led its credit quality assurance function. Lesley’s extensive experience as a global credit risk manager operating at both executive and board level means that she is well placed to chair the Risk and Sustainability Committee and brings her broader financial services expertise to the Audit and Nomination Committees.

External appointments: Chair of Sainsbury’s Bank and Non-Executive Director of Moody’s Investors Services Limited.

Term of office: Appointed April 2022.

Shazadi’s contribution to the Board, key strengths and skills: Shazadi has over 20 years’ legal experience, having been Head of Legal Counsel at Severn Trent and a solicitor at Eversheds Sutherland. Shazadi’s key contribution over and above her legal acumen is her extensive understanding of environmental and sustainability issues and requirements, which she has utilised to enhance the Group’s frameworks, governance and external reporting.

External appointments: None.

Term of office: Appointed 20 February 2023.

Niall’s contribution to the Board, key strengths, skills and reasons for re-election: A chartered accountant, Niall brings strong digital, consumer and corporate finance experience to the Board. Niall was most recently Chief Financial Officer at Ocado Retail Limited and prior to this he was a Managing Director at Rothschild & Co, having commenced his career at PwC.

External appointments: None.