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.
Geoff Cooper, Non-Executive Chairman
Appointment to the Board
1 July 2016
Relevant skills & experience
- Over 20 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
- Currently Non-Executive Chairman of Bourne Leisure Holdings and adviser to Charterhouse Capital Partners LLP, former Non-Executive Chairman of Dunelm Group plc and Card Factory plc. Former Chief Executive Officer of Travis Perkins Plc
- Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
Significant current external appointments
Non-Executive Chairman of Bourne Leisure Holdings Limited and senior adviser to Charterhouse Private Equity
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 19 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
-
Listed in Retail Week’s Retail 100 and Activist Award winner 2020
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 Better Business Support Ltd and Clifton Trade Bathrooms Ltd
Committee membership
Chris is a member of the Nomination Committee
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
- Previously finance director of John Lewis Partnership Ltd, Royal Mail Group and the UK division of Prudential Group. Former non-executive director of Skipton Group Holdings
- Panel member of the Competition and Markets Authority
- Wealth of Board experience
Significant current external appointments
Non-Executive Director at Ei Group Plc and 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
- Significant knowledge of consumer focused businesses and digital expertise
- Senior financial, management and International experience during senior roles at Amazon and ASOS
Significant current external appointments
Chief Financial Officer for Trainline Plc
Committee membership
Shaun is a member of the Audit Committee
Independent
Yes
Luisa Delgado, Non-Executive Director
Appointment to the Board
1 January 2019
Relevant skills & experience
- Wealth of experience in consumer goods and IT
- Previously CEO at Safilo Group and Procter & Gamble (Nordic Region) and an Executive Board member at SAP SE
Significant current external appointments
Non-executive director at INGKA Holding B.V. (Ikea)
Committee membership
Luisa is Chair of the Remuneration Committee and a member of the Audit Committee
Independent
Yes