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Board of Directors and Company Secretary

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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 Chair.

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.

 

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Stephen Ellwood Stephen Ellwood Chairman Steve joined the Board in January 2016, and was appointed as Chairman at the AGM held on 23rd March 2021. 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 also a Non-Executive Director at NIAB, AH Worth and Company and Velcourt Group.
  • - Nominations Committee - Chair
  • - Renumeration Committee
  • - Finance
  • - Mergers & Acquisitions
  • - Strategy & Leadership
  • - Sector Experience
Philip Michael Kirkham Philip Michael Kirkham Vice-Chairman / Senior Independent Non-Executive Director Philip joined the Board in April 2013. He runs a mixed farming business in the West Midlands and has significant experience in the UK livestock sector. He is also Non-Executive Chairman of Meadow Quality Limited, a multi-species livestock marketing business.
  • - Renumeration Committee - Chair
  • - Audit Committee
  • - Nominations Committee
  • - Strategy & Leadership
  • - Sector Experience
Howell John Richards Howell John Richards 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.
  • - Audit Committee
  • - Renumeration Committee
  • - Strategy & Leadership
  • - Sector Experience
Catherine Bradshaw Catherine Bradshaw Independent Non-Executive Director Catherine joined the Wynnstay Board as an Independent Non-Executive Director and Audit Committee Chair in July. Catherine qualified as a chartered accountant with KPMG, is a chartered accountant and member of the ICAEW. Catherine and has spent most of her career in food manufacturing businesses and is currently Group Financial Controller at Greencore Group Plc.
  • - Audit Committee - Chair
  • - Renumeration Committee
  • - Finance
  • - Mergers & Acquisitions
  • - Strategy & Leadership
  • - Manufacturing
Gareth Wynn Davies 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.
  • - Nominations Committee
  • - Sales & Marketing
  • - Mergers & Acquisitions
  • - Strategy & Leadership
  • - Sector Experience
Bryan Paul Roberts Bryan Paul Roberts Finance Director Paul joined the Board in 1997. He joined Wynnstay in 1987 having previously worked in the animal feed industry. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.
  • - Company Secretarial
  • - Finance
  • - Mergers & Acquisitions
  • - Sector Experience
Claire Alexander Williams 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.
  • - Company Secretarial
  • - Finance