Board of Directors and Company Secretary
Our Board is led by Steve Ellwood, the Chairman. Board members have a collective responsibility and legal obligation to promote the interests of the company and are collectively responsible for defining corporate governance arrangements. The Company Secretary acts as a trusted advisor to the Chair and the Board, assisting by preparing for effective Board meetings, including the timely dissemination of appropriate information. On governance matters the Company Secretary reports directly to the Chairman.
The Board is supported by three subcommittees (a) Audit and Risk, (b) Remuneration, and (c) Nominations. Biographical details of the Board of Directors, key skills and committee membership are shown below.
Board Approach to Risk Management
The Group aims to mitigate the risks it faces as we seek to create sustainable growth over the medium to long-term by adopting an approach that is appropriate to the business activities being conducted and the scale of the enterprise. The Board retain overall responsibility for reviewing risk management strategies and this statement provides information about the exposure to the main identified risks and the controls in place to mitigate against these issues.
The executive directors work closely with the non-executive directors who provide oversight and scrutiny in this area to ensure that risk management is appropriately aligned with commercial strategy. The Board utilises a risk register which is regularly considered for changing circumstances. In all businesses, there are some risks and uncertainties which are not able to be fully controlled. Whilst all companies are subject to some financial risk, the Group continues to have a strong balance sheet and low gearing which are priorities for the Board. For further information on Principal Risks and Uncertainties, see the latest Annual Report and Accounts.
Stephen Ellwood
Chairman
Steve joined the Board in April 2016. He has a wealth of experience within the UK agriculture and agri-food sectors after spending 10 years as Head of Agriculture at HSBC, following on as Head of Food and Agriculture at Smith & Williamson for four years. Steve is Chairman of AH Worth and Company and is a Non-Executive Director at NIAB and Velcourt Group.
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Nominations Committee - Chair |  |
Mergers & Acquisitions |
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Remuneration Committee |  |
Strategy & Leadership |
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Sector Experience |  |
Finance |
Steven Esom
Senior Independent Non-Executive Director
Steven joined the Board in April 2023. He has extensive sector-level experience in the UK food and retailing industries and significant experience of the UK agricultural sector. Previously, Steven was Managing Director of Waitrose & Partners and also an Executive Director of Food at Marks & Spencer. Steven is Chairman of Sedex, a leading global supply chain consultancy focused on environmental, social and governance outcomes.
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Remuneration Committee - Chair | |
Mergers & Acquisitions |
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Audit Committee | |
Strategy & Leadership |
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Nominations Committee |  |
Sales & Marketing |
Catherine Bradshaw
Independent Non-Executive Director
Catherine joined the Board in July 2021. As a qualified chartered accountant, Catherine brings a wealth of experience in financial control from previous roles at Northern Foods Plc, Morrisons Plc, Greencore Plc, and currently as Director of Reporting and Controls at Cranswick Plc.
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Audit Committee - Chair | |
Mergers & Acquisitions |
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Remuneration Committee | |
Strategy & Leadership |
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Finance |
Howell John Richards
Independent Non-Executive Director
Howell joined the Board in July 2014. He has significant experience within the agricultural industry and has established a large dairy enterprise business in South Wales. As a member of a number of well recognised committees, Howell promotes the UK dairy industry and supports initiatives for young entrants into UK farming.
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Audit Committee | |
Strategy & Leadership |
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Remuneration Committee | |
Sector Experience |
Gareth Wynn Davies
Chief Executive
Gareth was appointed to the Board as Chief Executive in May 2018. He joined Wynnstay in 1999 as Sales Manager for South Wales and became Head of Agriculture in 2008. He is also a Non-Executive Director at Hybu Cig Cymru - Meat Promotion Wales.
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Nominations Committee | |
Strategy & Leadership |
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Sales & Marketing | |
Sector Experience |
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Mergers & Acquisitions |
Rob Thomas
Group Finance Director
Rob joined the Board in October 2023 as Group Finance Director Designate and became Group Finance Director on 2 January 2024. He has significant financial and commercial experience in senior roles, including in the agricultural and the supply chain sectors. A Chartered Accountant, Rob has significant experience of M&A and strategic planning. His earlier career was in accountancy with PwC, both in the UK and overseas.
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Sector Experience | |
Finance |
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Mergers & Acquisitions | |
Strategy & Leadership |
Claire Alexander Williams
Company Secretary
Claire was appointed to the Board in January 2020. She joined Wynnstay in 2017 as Group Financial Controller. She is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. After 6 years in audit at PwC, Claire went onto work in various finance roles at a number of large listed companies before joining Wynnstay.
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Company Secretarial |  |
Strategy & Leadership |
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Finance | Corporate Governance |