Directors' Biographies

Nigel joined the Board as an independent non-executive director in August 2004, became Deputy Chairman on 18th May 2005 and Chairman from 1st July 2005. He is also the Chairman of the Nomination Committee and a member of the Audit and Remuneration Committees. Nigel started with Mars and has spent most of his career in the food and beverage industry and led the team that successfully turned around and sold Merrydown Plc. He is also non-executive Chairman of Pulse Ltd, a private equity backed company which owns the Breville brand, and an independent non-executive director at DDD Pharmaceuticals Limited. Age 58.

Hugh joined the Board in September 2007 to take up the role of Group Finance Director and became Chief Executive on 1st July 2009. Hugh has worked in a variety of roles within various companies, including Procter & Gamble, ICI, and the New Zealand Dairy Board, where he concentrated on performance improvement. Immediately prior to joining the group, Hugh was Finance Director and acting Managing Director of BRS, a Volvo Group company. Age 54.

Brenda joined the Board as an independent non-executive director in August 2004. She is the Chairman of the Remuneration Committee and a member of the Audit and Nomination Committees. Brenda was appointed a member of the House of Lords in 1993. As well as being a member of the Privy Council, she is also a member of the House of Lords Appointments Commission, Chairman of the New Covent Garden Market Authority, an independent non-executive director of Taylor Wimpey plc and a non-executive partnership director on the board of NATS Holdings Limited, the UK's leading air traffic management provider. Age 67.

Jim rejoined the Board as an independent non-executive director on 1st September 2006. As well as being the Senior Independent Non-Executive Director, Jim is also Chairman of the Audit Committee and a member of the Nomination and Remuneration Committees. He has over 30 years' experience in retailing, including J Sainsbury plc where he was Managing Director Convenience, Tesco plc, T&S Stores Plc where he was Chief Executive, Next Plc, and the Birmingham Post and Mail. Jim was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Poundland Ltd in August 2006. Age 54.