Our Board is responsible for supervising the management of the business and approving the strategic direction of the Company and meets as often as is necessary to effectively conduct its business. You can find out more about our Directors and their relevant skills and experience below.
Download Annual Report & Accounts
Year ending 31 March 2020 DownloadGeoff Cooper, Non-Executive Chairman
Appointment to the Board
1 July 2016
Relevant skills & experience
- Over 25 years’ UK public company Board experience including Chair and Chief Executive Officer roles
- Significant retail and customer-facing industry experience across the UK
- Ability to steer Boards through high growth strategies and overseas expansion
- Former Non-Executive Chairman of Bourne Leisure Holdings, Dunelm Group plc and Card Factory plc, and former Chief Executive Officer of Travis Perkins Plc
- Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
Significant current external appointments
None
Committee membership
Geoff chairs the Nomination Committee
Independent
Yes
John Roberts, Chief Executive Officer
Appointment to the Board
2 August 2005 (AO Retail Limited 19 April 2000)
Relevant skills & experience
- Co-founded the business over 20 years ago giving him thorough knowledge and understanding of the Group’s business
- Extensive CEO experience: led the management team to successfully develop and expand the business during periods of challenging market conditions
- Innovator and visionary lead
- Significant market knowledge and understanding
Committee membership
John attends the Remuneration, Audit and Nomination Committees by invitation
Mark Higgins, Chief Financial Officer
Appointment to the Board
1 August 2015
Relevant skills & experience
- Group Finance Director for four years prior to appointment as AO’s Chief Financial Officer
- Senior finance roles held at Enterprise Managed Services Ltd and the Caudwell Group
- Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
Committee membership
Mark attends the Remuneration, Audit and Nomination Committees by invitation.
Chris Hopkinson, Non-Executive Director
Appointment to the Board
12 December 2005
Relevant skills & experience
- Former City Financial Analyst
- Significant industry experience
- Holds a Masters degree in Logistics
Significant current external appointments
Executive Director of Clifton Trade Bathrooms Ltd
Committee membership
Chris is a member of the Nomination Committee and People Champion
Independent
No
Marisa Cassoni, Senior Independent Director
Appointment to the Board
5 February 2014
Relevant skills & experience
- ICAEW chartered accountant with extensive financial and governance experience in both private and public companies with strong technology and multi-channel customer offerings, particularly in the financial services, logistics and retail sectors
- Previously finance director of John Lewis Partnership Ltd, Royal Mail Group and the UK division of Prudential Group. Former non-executive director at Ei Group Plc and Skipton Group Holdings Limited
- Panel member of the Competition and Markets Authority
- Trustee and member of FRC
- Wealth of Board experience as a executive and non-executive director
Significant current external appointments
Non-Executive Director at Galliford Try Plc
Committee membership
Marisa is the Chair of the Audit Committee and is a member of the Remuneration Committee
Independent
Yes
Shaun McCabe, Non-Executive Director
Appointment to the Board
25 July 2018
Relevant skills & experience
- ICAEW chartered accounts a strong mix of knowledge of consumer focused businesses and digital expertise
- Significant international, finance and general management experience
- Previous senior positions held at several onlne market leaders including international Director at ASOS Plc and vice president, chief financial officer for Amazon Europe
Significant current external appointments
Chief Financial Officer for Trainline Plc and non-executive Director and audit and risk commitee chair at boohoo group plc
Committee membership
Shaun is a member of the Audit Committee and the Remuneration Commitee
Independent
Yes