Board-level Leadership
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 Card Factory plc and Bourne Leisure Holdings and adviser to Charterhouse Capital Partners LLP, former Non-Executive Chairman of Dunelm Group plc and former Chief Executive Officer of Travis Perkins Plc
- Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
Significant current external appointments
Non-Executive Chairman of Card Factory plc and Bourne Leisure Holdings Limited. Senior adviser to Charterhouse Private Equity
Committee membership
Geoff chairs the Nomination Committee
Independent
Yes
Steve Caunce, Chief Executive Officer
Appointment to the Board
13 October 2005
Relevant skills & experience
- Thorough knowledge and understanding of the Group’s business having held Chief Operating and Chief Financial Officer positions from 2005 until 2017
- Substantial experience in growth businesses with a strong consumer focus
- Significant Board and management experience: previously Finance Director at Phones 4U Limited and senior positions held at MyTravel Plc and Preston North End Plc
- Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
Committee membership
Steve attends the Remuneration, Audit and Nomination Committees by invitation.
John Roberts, Founder, Executive Director
Appointment to the Board
2 August 2005 (AO Retail Limited 19 April 2000)
Relevant skills & experience
- Co-founded the business over 17 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.
Brian McBride, Senior Independent Director
Appointment to the Board
6 February 2014
Relevant skills & experience
- Extensive online retail experience – former Managing Director of Amazon.co.uk and Chair of ASOS Plc and Wiggle Ltd
- Significant non-executive and governance experience
- Masters degree in Economics, History and Politics
Significant current external appointments
Chairman of ASOS Plc and Wiggle Ltd
Committee membership
Brian is Chair of the Remuneration Committee and a member of the Audit and Nomination Committees.
Independent
Yes
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
Independent
No
Marisa Cassoni, Non-Executive 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
- Panel member of the Competition and Markets Authority
- Wealth of Board experience
Significant current external appointments
Non-Executive Director of Skipton Group Holdings Ltd and EI Group Plc
Committee membership
Marisa is the Chair of the Audit Committee and is a member of the Remuneration Committee
Independent
Yes
Jacqueline de Rojas CBE, Non-Executive Director
Appointment to the Board
23 November 2017
Relevant skills & experience
- Significant experience in fast moving technology businesses
- Previous senior roles held at major global technology companies including Sage Group plc, Citrix Systems Inc, CA Technologies, Novell and McAfee International and non-executive director at Home Retail Group plc
- President of techUK, Chair of the Digital Leaders Technology Group and also serves of the government’s Digital Economy Council.
- A passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in the workplace
- Awarded a CBE for services to international trade in the technology industry In the 2018 New Year’s Honours list
Significant current external appointments
Non-executive director of Costain Group plc and Rightmove plc
Committee membership
Jacqueline is a member of the Nomination and Remuneration Committees
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
Committee membership
Shaun is a member of the Audit Committee
Independent
Yes