Our leadership
Our leadership team provides entrepreneurial leadership of the Company within a framework of prudent and effective governance. The Board acknowledges its contribution to achieving management accountability, improved risk management and ultimately creating shareholder value over the long term.
Committee Member:
Chair of the Nomination Committee
Appointed:
2022
Skills & experience:
David Tyler joined the PZ Cussons Board as a Non-Executive Director in 2022, becoming Chair in March 2023. His business experience spans the consumer, retail, business services and financial services sectors. His executive career (1974 to 2006) was spent in financial and general management at Unilever, NatWest, Christie’s and GUS. Since 2007, he has had a non-executive career, chairing Sainsbury’s, Logica, Hammerson, 3i Quoted Private Equity, the White Company, Imagr and Hampstead Theatre. He has also been a Non-Executive Director at Experian, Burberry, Reckitt Benckiser and Rubix. David currently chairs Domestic & General, JoJo Maman Bébé and the Government-backed Parker Review on ethnic diversity in UK business.
Independent:
Yes
Other appointments:
- Director and Chair of Domestic & General Limited
- Director and Chair of JoJo Maman Bébé
Committee Member:
Member of the Environmental and Social Impact Committee
Appointed:
2020
Skills & experience:
Jonathan is an experienced FMCG executive, having worked for a number of well-known global branded consumer goods businesses across a range of categories including beauty, personal care, home care and food. Prior to joining PZ Cussons, he was Chief Operating Officer at Avon Products Inc, with overall responsibility for supply chain, marketing, digital, research and development and IT functions and was a core member of the executive team delivering a successful turnaround of the business. He spent the first 21 years of his career at Procter & Gamble, working across a wide range of categories with extensive experience in developed and developing markets, progressing to General Manager, oral care and feminine care for the Greater China Region. He has also held senior leadership positions at the Kellogg Company, serving as Managing Director, UK and Ireland and also Vice President, European markets.
Independent:
No
Appointed:
2021
Skills & experience:
Sarah joined PZ Cussons from Nomad Foods, Europe’s leading frozen food company, where she served as Deputy Chief Financial Officer. Prior to that, she was Chief Financial Officer for their Birds Eye business. Sarah is a chartered management accountant, having qualified with PricewaterhouseCoopers, and subsequently worked in investment banking, specifically in mergers and acquisitions at Deutsche Bank. Prior to Nomad Foods, Sarah held a number of senior finance positions at Diageo, Tesco and Unilever. She has worked in commercial, operational and corporate finance roles including investor relations and so brings with her a deep understanding of creating shareholder value in the consumer goods sector.
Independent:
No
Committee Member:
Member of the Audit & Risk Committee
Member of the Nomination Committee
Appointed:
2016
Skills & experience:
John has significant experience of global consumer goods for both developed and emerging markets. His early career in marketing and sales was spent at ICI, Unilever and Fosters Brewing Group, then in corporate development and general management. He was a plc board member at Scottish & Newcastle plc, Regional President Americas and Executive Committee member at Heineken NV and more recently Chair of AG Barr plc. He has also held the positions of Senior Independent Director at Stock Spirits Group plc, Chairman at Baltika OAO, Deputy Chairman at CCU SA, Director at United Breweries Ltd India, Non-Executive Director at North American Breweries, and member of the Edinburgh University Business School Advisory Board.
Independent:
Yes
Committee Member:
Chair of the Remuneration Committee
Member of the Nomination Committee
Member of Environmental and Social Impact Committee
Designated Non-Executive Director for employee engagement
Appointed:
2019
Skills & experience:
Kirsty is an experienced remuneration committee chair and holds specific expertise in organisational culture and change management. In her executive career of more than 30 years, she is currently Chief People & Culture Officer at Delinian Trading Ltd, having completed a three-year assignment as Chief Business Officer at Diaverum AB, and 24 years at BP plc in senior executive positions, including Group Head of Organisational Effectiveness and leading the strategic coordination of the company’s global B2B business. Kirsty also chairs the Corporate Responsibility Committee at Serco Group plc.
Independent:
Yes
Other appointments:
- Non-Executive Director of Serco Group plc
- Chair, The Northern Superchargers Ltd
Committee Member:
Member of the Audit & Risk Committee
Member of the Nomination Committee
Member of the Remuneration Committee
Appointed:
2021
Skills & experience:
Jitesh Sodha is an experienced FTSE director. Jitesh was most recently Chief Financial Officer at Spire Healthcare Group plc, was Chair of the Sustainability Committee from 2018 to 2024, and sat on the Disclosure Committee, Executive Committee and Safety, Quality and Risk Committee. Prior to that, Jitesh was Chief Financial Officer at De La Rue between 2015 and 2018, and at Greenergy International, Mobile Streams, where he led their IPO, and T-Mobile International UK.
Independent:
Yes
Committee Member:
Chair of the Environmental and Social Impact Committee
Member of Nomination Committee
Member of Remuneration Committee
Appointed:
2021
Skills & experience:
Valeria is an international business leader with a focus on digital, brand-building and business transformation. Over the last 27 years, she has worked for both developed and emerging markets at Ralph Lauren, Amazon, Diageo, Boston Consulting Group and Procter & Gamble. She has extensive experience of general management, digital, strategy, commercial, innovation and marketing covering branded consumer goods, fashion and online retailing. She is the former SVP of digital commerce for Ralph Lauren International.
Independent:
Yes
Committee Member:
Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee
Member of Nomination Committee
Appointed:
2024
Skills & experience:
Vivek is a global business leader with over 30 years of senior general management experience in international financial services and private equity. In his executive career, he was most recently CEO of Terra Firma, a leading European Private Equity firm and prior to that Deputy Group CFO at Standard Chartered plc. He is an experienced non-executive director and currently chairs the Risk Committee at NatWest Markets plc and serves on the Council at Kings College London. With extensive board and chair roles as an Investor Director, Vivek brings a wealth of strategic and financial expertise to multi sector businesses.
Independent:
Yes
Other appointments:
- Non-Executive Director of NatWest Markets plc (Chair of the Risk Committee)
Jonathan is an experienced FMCG executive, having worked for a number of well-known global branded consumer goods businesses across a range of categories including beauty, personal care, home care and food.
Prior to joining PZ Cussons, he was Chief Operating Officer at Avon Products Inc, where he had overall responsibility for supply chain, marketing, digital, research and development and IT functions and was a core member of the executive team delivering a successful turnaround of the business. He spent the first 21 years of his career at Procter & Gamble, where he worked across a wide range of categories and had extensive experience in developed and developing markets, progressing to General Manager, Oral Care and Feminine Care for the Greater China Region. He has also held senior leadership positions at the Kellogg Company, serving as Managing Director, UK and Ireland and also Vice-President, European markets.
Sarah joined PZ Cussons in 2021 from Nomad Foods, Europe’s leading frozen food company, where she served as Deputy Chief Financial Officer. Prior to that, she was Chief Financial Officer for their Birds Eye business.
She is a chartered management accountant, having qualified with PricewaterhouseCoopers, and subsequently worked in investment banking, specifically in mergers & acquisitions at Deutsche Bank.
Prior to Nomad Foods, Sarah held a number of senior finance positions at Diageo, Tesco and Unilever. She has worked in commercial, operational and corporate finance roles including investor relations and brings with her a deep understanding of creating shareholder value in the consumer goods sector.
Cath Bailey joined PZ Cussons in April 2023 as Chief People Officer and is responsible for developing and delivering the Global People Strategy including the Group’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy.
Prior to joining PZ Cussons, Cath was Chief People Officer at Manchester Airports Group, and also brings extensive experience of leading the People agenda for a number of global well known brands, including Avon Cosmetics, the Kellogg Company and Barclays. She has also worked as an Organisation Consultancy Partner for US Private Equity companies.
Cath brings strong transformation, talent and succession planning expertise and is passionate about creating an inclusive culture where everyone can thrive.
Oghale is the Managing Director of the Africa Consumer Business and is responsible for leading P&L delivery, market share and business growth. He is also accountable for end-to-end operations management and organizational health across the Africa market.
Before joining PZ Cussons, Oghale served as General Manager, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Managing Director West Africa for SC Johnson. More widely, he spent several years at Procter & Gamble in Africa and the US, holding several leadership roles across market strategy and planning; and commercial management roles for Walmart’s International Customer Team, supporting emerging markets in Asia and Latin America, and health & beauty categories.
Jawaz joined PZ Cussons in July 2023 as Chief Information Officer and is responsible for developing and delivering strategies for technology, digital and data.
He has amassed a wealth of global experience, having held senior leadership roles at companies including Reckitt, the Carlsberg Group, Walgreens Boots Alliance and RR Donnelley. In addition to large corporates, he has experience with start-ups, the most recent being Mum & You.
Dimitris was appointed Transformation Leader and Chief Executive Officer of PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC in June 2023.
Having joined PZ Cussons in 1995 working in Business Development in Eastern Europe, he later became Business Development Manager for East Africa, and progressed to join the Africa Executive Leadership Team, with responsibility for the sustainable growth of the business in sub-Sahara Africa. He then spent three years managing our joint venture with Haier in West Africa. He brings vast experience in delivering high growth in emerging economies, specifically in Asia and Africa.
Kareem was appointed General Counsel and Company Secretary in August 2024, after four years at PZ Cussons working across various parts of the Legal, Governance and Compliance function.
Kareem has significant experience in corporate and capital markets law having trained at the British law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, primarily in their M&A and capital markets teams. He has worked in Australia, Japan and the UK and delivered projects in both emerging and developed markets globally. Before joining PZ Cussons, Kareem worked at Tullow Oil plc as senior legal adviser and deputy company secretary. He brings with him an international perspective and deep understanding of the legal risks and opportunities faced by listed companies operating with a global footprint.
Steve joined PZ in 2010 as Managing Director for Global Procurement, progressing to Global Supply Chain Director for our Beauty and Personal Care Divisions before joining the Executive Leadership Team as Chief Supply Chain Officer in 2021. He is responsible for setting and executing the Group Supply Chain vision and strategy to ensure that the supply chain is flexible and responsive to the business needs whilst being cost efficient.
He brings a wealth of experience spanning commercial, supply chain, marketing and procurement in FMCG and retail businesses including senior leadership roles at L’Oréal and The Body Shop, Bacardi and Somerfield supermarkets.
Alastair (Al) Smith is Managing Director of our ANZ business.
Al joined PZ Cussons in 2007 as a Business Development Manager following retail roles in the UK including Northern Foods, and his career has progressed through senior management commercial roles in both our UK and ANZ business units, most recently as Sales Director for ANZ.
He is an experienced leader with a solid understanding of retail dynamics for PZ Cussons in ANZ and what it takes to deliver profitable growth in competitive categories.
Rob is Managing Director of our UK and Ireland business, with responsibility for leading its continued evolution in line with our group strategy.
Rob is an experienced Managing Director with a passion for brand-building and motivating teams to drive performance. He joined PZ Cussons Australia in May 2001 as an Account Manager for the pharmacy business and quickly progressed through various roles within the organisation in key Asia Pacific markets before accepting the role of Managing Director for our ANZ business, leading a significant turnaround for the local business on behalf of the Group. He accepted the role of Managing Director of the UK in June 2022 and Managing Director of UK and Ireland in December 2023.
Paul is Chief Growth and Marketing Officer, with responsibility for accelerating the future growth of the business in international markets, and leading our brand-building, innovation and brand planning capabilities and talent agenda in line with our group strategy.
Paul joined PZ Cussons as Interim Managing Director of our Beauty business in 2021, successfully leading the team during a busy transition period, and remaining on the ExCo to accept the role of Managing Director, Business Development in January 2022 and then Chief Growth and Marketing Officer in December 2023.
Paul brings a blend of over 25 years’ experience in consumer marketing, sales and general management. He started his career at Procter and Gamble, quickly progressing through various senior management roles to Managing Director for Cosmetics International Operations and driving household penetration for brands including Max Factor and Olay.
Ningcy is Managing Director of PZ Cussons Indonesia, a role she was appointed to in June 2023. She is responsible for overseeing operations across Asia, including driving business growth in the Indonesian market.
With over 15 years of experience in Brand and Marketing Management, Ningcy joined PZ Cussons as the Head of Marketing for the Asia region in January 2011. During this period, she has built a strong understanding of PZ Cussons’ Indonesia business, having progressed through five senior leadership positions, including Sales Director. Prior to PZ Cussons, Ningcy held senior roles at Nestlé and Sara Lee, amongst other businesses.
Corporate Governance
The Board is committed to maintaining the highest standards of governance, understanding the role it plays in delivering long-term sustainable success for the Company.
Corporate Governance
The Board is committed to maintaining the highest standards of governance, understanding the role it plays in delivering long-term sustainable success for the Company.