Management

Management

Our Board is chaired by Martin Scicluna. Martin and his fellow Board members are responsible for setting the long-term strategy for the group. They act in the best interests of our shareholders, colleagues, customers and stakeholders, making sure that we deliver on our promises.

Simon Roberts, our Chief Executive, chairs our Operating Board. They concentrate on the day-to-day management of the group and it’s their role to execute the strategy set out by the Board.

Management
Image of Martin Scicluna

Martin Scicluna

Chair

Martin joined the Board as Chair Designate and Non-Executive Director on 1 November 2018. He was appointed Chair of the Board on 10 March 2019, and is also Chair of the Nomination and Governance Committee and a member of the Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Committee. Martin brings a wealth of experience from over 30 years’ service as an executive and non-executive board director at a wide range of companies. Previous roles include Chairman of RSA Insurance Group plc, Chairman of Great Portland Estates plc, Senior Independent Director and Chair of the Audit Committee of Worldpay Inc., and Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit Committee of Lloyds Banking Group plc. He was a partner at Deloitte LLP for 26 years, serving as Chairman from 1995 to 2007, where his clients included Dixons, WH Smith, Alliance Unichem and Cadbury.

Martin has extensive experience as a Chair. He brings valuable knowledge and skills in developing strategy and evaluating business opportunities, along with understanding of the financial services sector and how it operates. As Chair, Martin has a deep understanding of governance and what is needed to lead an effective Board.

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Simon Roberts

Chief Executive

Simon was appointed as Chief Executive on 1 June 2020, having joined Sainsbury’s and the Operating Board in July 2017 as Retail & Operations Director, with responsibility for Stores, Central Operations and Logistics. He is a member of the Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Committee. Simon has worked in retail for over 35 years, having started at Marks and Spencer and joined Sainsbury’s from Boots where he was Executive Vice President of Walgreens Boots Alliance and President of Boots UK and Ireland. Simon is President of IGD, a Member of the Government’s Retail Sector Council and an Advisory Board Member of Diversity in Retail.

Simon is leading Sainsbury’s plan to become First choice for food. Under Simon’s stewardship, Sainsbury’s has launched its Plan for Better, which is integrated into our strategy and includes a bold commitment to become net zero across our own operations by 2035. Simon has led significant investments into colleague pay, most recently leading the industry in paying the Living Wage across the whole country. Simon is the Operating Board Sponsor for Inclusion and is a dedicated, determined and enthusiastic champion for our customers and colleagues and for inclusion and diversity across our company.

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Bláthnaid Bergin

Chief Financial Officer

Bláthnaid was appointed as Chief Financial Officer on 5 March 2023, having joined Sainsbury’s in 2019 as Group Director of Finance before becoming Commercial and Retail Finance Director in 2021. Prior to joining Sainsbury's, Bláthnaid held senior finance leadership roles at Aviva and RSA. She is a qualified Chartered Accountant and spent most of her career at GE in various finance roles working across Europe, Asia and Australia. Bláthnaid was previously Non-Executive Director, Chair of the Audit Committee and Senior Independent Director for Artemis Alpha Investment Trust.

 
Bláthnaid is a highly respected leader with a strong record of financial leadership. Over the last five years at Sainsbury's, she has supported the development and delivery of our strategy. Bláthnaid has extensive international and finance experience gained during previous and current executive and non-executive positions.

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Jo Bertram

Non-Executive Director

Jo joined the Board on 7 July 2022 and is a member of the Nomination and Governance and Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Committees. Jo is a highly talented strategic business leader with significant experience leading transformation and change. Prior to becoming Managing Director, Business & Wholesale at Virgin Media O2, Jo held senior Director and Strategy roles at O2. Between 2013 and 2017, she held the position of Regional General Manager, Northern Europe at Uber. Jo has previously worked at McKinsey and Accenture and holds an MBA from INSEAD.

Jo has worked in growing hi-tech sectors which benefits our customers as we explore new ways to use digital solutions to make shopping easy and convenient.

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Brian Cassin

Senior Independent Director

Brian joined the Board on 1 April 2016 and became the Senior Independent Director on 7 July 2022. He is a member of the Audit and Nomination and Governance Committees. He brings relevant experience of running a FTSE 100 group with knowledge of big data and analytics, both areas of key importance to Sainsbury’s. As Chief Executive Officer of Experian plc, Brian brings strong leadership experience and a substantial background in operating within a regulated environment. He joined Experian plc as Chief Financial Officer in April 2012, a post he held until his appointment as Chief Executive Officer in July 2014. Prior to this, Brian spent his career in investment banking at Greenhill & Co, where he was Managing Director and Partner. Brian has also held various roles at Baring Brothers International and at the London Stock Exchange.

Brian’s current experience as a chief executive and his work in the financial and technology sectors provide valuable industry insight.

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Jo Harlow

Non-Executive Director

Jo joined the Board on 11 September 2017 and became Chair of the Remuneration Committee in July 2022. She is a member of the Nomination and Governance and Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Committees. Jo brings a wealth of experience in consumer-facing businesses and the telecoms and technology industries, both in the UK and internationally. She was Corporate Vice President of the Phones Business Unit at Microsoft Corporation and, before that, was Executive Vice President of Smart Devices at Nokia, following a number of senior management roles at Nokia from 2003. Prior to that, Jo held marketing, sales and management roles at Reebok International Limited from 1992 to 2003 and at Procter & Gamble from 1984 to 1992. Jo was previously a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Remuneration Committee of InterContinental Hotels Group plc. Jo is Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Remuneration Committee of Halma plc, Non-Executive Director and member of the Remuneration Committee and Nominations Committee at Centrica plc, and Director of Chapter Zero.

Jo has broad experience from executive and non-executive roles and she has helped the business deliver and evolve its sustainability strategy. She also brings current external Remuneration Committee experience.

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Adrian Hennah

Non-Executive Director

Adrian joined the Board on 1 April 2021. He is Chair of the Audit Committee and a member of the Remuneration and Nomination and Governance Committees. Adrian has significant financial and strategic expertise leading the performance and strategy of many large companies. He started his career working in audit and consultancy with PwC and Stadtsparkasse Köln, the German regional bank. Adrian spent 18 years in Chief Financial Officer roles at three FTSE 100 companies. He was Chief Financial Officer at Reckitt Benckiser (RB) for seven years and held the same position at Smith & Nephew and Invensys. Prior to this he spent 18 years at GlaxoSmithKline working in both finance and operations. He was also previously Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit Committee at RELX. Adrian currently serves as a Non-Executive Director of Oxford Nanopore Technologies plc, a Non-Executive Director of Unilever plc and a Trustee of Our Future Health.

Adrian brings extensive financial and leadership experience to Sainsbury’s gained from Chief Financial Officer positions held in some of the UK’s largest companies, notably at RB, which produces leading hygiene, health and nutritional brands. 

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Tanuj Kapilashrami

Non-Executive Director

Tanuj joined the Board on 1 July 2020 and is a member of the Nomination and Governance and Remuneration Committees. She is an international banker with significant experience in transformation, talent and change management, both in the UK and globally. Tanuj is the Chief Strategy and Talent Officer of Standard Chartered Bank, where she leads the strategy, HR, corporate affairs, brand and marketing, property and supply chain teams and in turn is responsible for how the Standard Chartered Bank develops, executes and communicates its strategy. She joined Standard Chartered in 2017 and was the Bank’s Chief Human Resources Officer from 2018 to 2024. Prior to this, Tanuj built her career in banking over 17 years in key global and regional HR leadership roles across multiple markets within HSBC. She has also previously served as a Director of Financial Services Skills Commission Limited. Tanuj is a recognised thought-leader on the future of work and has been featured by leading global media on a range of topics, including culture, leadership, inclusion and skills. Tanuj is also a Associate Non-Executive Director of the Board of NHS England, a member of the Asia House Board of Trustees, and on the Board of Autumn, an integrated digital wealth, health and lifestyle solutions start-up.

Tanuj is a valuable member of the Board as the business continues to adapt and support its colleagues in a rapidly changing marketplace.

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Keith Weed CBE

Non-Executive Director

Keith joined the Board on 1 July 2020 and became Chair of the Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Committee on 7 July 2022. Keith is also a member of the Audit and Nomination and Governance Committees. Keith is an exceptionally capable marketing and digital leader. He has championed new ways of integrating sustainability into business and building brands with purpose. Keith was awarded a CBE for services to the advertising and marketing industry in the 2021 New Years Honours List. He has a strong business background, having spent 36 years at Unilever plc, most recently as Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, which included leading the company’s ground-breaking sustainability programme globally. Whilst at Unilever, Keith led different parts of the business, during which time he worked closely with Sainsbury’s and other retailers. He has strong international experience and knowledge, having run international businesses both in the UK and overseas. He is currently a Non-Executive Director of WPP plc, Trustee Director of Business in the Community, Trustee Director of The Leverhulme Trust and President of the the Royal Horticultural Society. He is also a trustee of Grange Park Opera.

Keith plays an important role in Sainsbury’s strategic focus to become First choice for food and delivering on our Plan for Better. He has an excellent understanding of both sustainability and digital and the ways that technology is transforming businesses.

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Nick Grant

General Counsel and Company Secretary

Nick was appointed to the newly created role of General Counsel & Company Secretary in July 2024. Nick provides legal and corporate governance advice and support to the Board and Committees and oversees secretarial support for all legal entities within the Group.

Prior to this appointment Nick was for 8 years Director of Legal Services at Sainsbury’s, leading a full-service in-house team of 40 legal advisors and advising senior management on corporate transactions, material litigation and reputation management.

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Simon Roberts

Chief Executive

Simon was appointed as Chief Executive on 1 June 2020, having joined Sainsbury’s and the Operating Board in July 2017 as Retail & Operations Director, with responsibility for Stores, Central Operations and Logistics. He is a member of the CR&S Committee and the Operating Board Sponsor for Inclusion. Simon has worked in retail for over 30 years, having started at Marks and Spencer and joining Sainsbury’s from Boots where he was most recently Executive Vice President of Walgreens Boots Alliance and President of Boots UK and Ireland. Simon is President of IGD and a Member of the Government’s Retail Sector Council and Advisory Board Member of Diversity in Retail.

Simon is leading Sainsbury’s plan to put food back at the heart of the business. Under Simon’s stewardship, Sainsbury’s has launched its Plan for Better, which is integrated into our strategy and includes a bold commitment to become Net Zero across our own operations by 2035. Simon has led significant investments into colleague pay, most recently leading the industry in paying the Living Wage across the whole country as part of a cost of living support package. Simon is a dedicated, determined and enthusiastic champion for our customers and colleagues and for inclusion and diversity across our company.

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Bláthnaid Bergin

Chief Financial Officer

Bláthnaid was appointed as Chief Financial Officer on 5 March 2023, having joined Sainsbury’s in 2019 as Group Director of Finance before moving to Commercial and Retail Finance Director in 2021. Bláthnaid is the Operating Board Co-Sponsor for Disability. Prior to joining Sainsbury's, Bláthnaid held senior finance leadership roles at Aviva and RSA. She is a qualified Chartered Accountant and spent most of her career at GE in various finance roles working across Europe, Asia and Australia. Bláthnaid was previously Non-Executive Director, Chair of the Audit Committee and Senior Independent Director for Artemis Alpha Investment Trust.
 
Bláthnaid is a highly respected leader with a strong record of financial leadership. Over the last five years at Sainsbury's she has supported the development and delivery of our strategy. Bláthnaid has extensive international and finance experience gained during previous and current executive and non-executive positions.

 
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Rhian Bartlett

Chief Food Commercial Officer

Rhian joined the Operating Board in November 2020, having returned to Sainsbury’s in 2019 as Director of Fresh Food. She is responsible for delivering the commercial performance of Sainsbury’s food business and brands. Rhian is also the Operating Board Sponsor for Gender. She has over 20 years’ experience in the retail industry and has held a variety of senior commercial roles, including Customer and Digital Director at Screwfix and Director of UK Trading at eBay. Rhian’s previous roles at Sainsbury’s include Business Unit Director Non-Food Grocery and Head of Online Merchandising. Rhian is a Non-Executive Director at Speedy Hire Plc and is a Trustee of GroceryAid.

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Graham Biggart

Chief Transformation & General Merchandise Commercial Officer

Graham joined the Operating Board in March 2022. As Chief Transformation & General Merchandise Commercial Officer, Graham is responsible for our strategy and the delivery of major change programmes across our business, in addition to our Supply Chain, Logistics & Fulfilment, and Central Business Services. He is also accountable for the commercial performance of our General Merchandise and Clothing brands; including Argos, Habitat and Tu. Graham is the Operating Board Sponsor for Ethnicity. Graham joined Sainsbury’s in 2015 and has led a number of different areas of the business in that time, across commercial, operations and channels, including as Commercial Director for Fresh Food & Foodservice, and as Commercial Operations Director covering Range, Space, Price & Formats in Food, General Merchandise and Clothing, as well as the Sainsbury’s Local and Argos Republic of Ireland businesses. Prior to Sainsbury’s, Graham worked at McKinsey & Company, and before that at Brunswick Group. Graham is a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Risk & Audit Committee of GS1 UK.

 
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Mark Given

Chief Marketing Officer

Mark joined the Operating Board in June 2020. He has significant experience in customer insight, brand communication and digital marketing. Mark joined Sainsbury’s in 2012, becoming Marketing Director in 2017. He was appointed Chief Marketing Officer in August 2019 and has responsibility for Marketing & Loyalty across the Sainsbury’s, Argos, Tu clothing and Habitat brands. Mark has also been responsible for the Nectar Loyalty coalition and the Nectar360 media business since 2018. In 2021, Mark assumed responsibility for all Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability activity, including delivery of our Plan for Better targets. Mark is the Operating Board Sponsor for the LGBT+ inclusion lane. Prior to joining Sainsbury’s, Mark built his digital skills leading the Priority programme at O2, where he was Head of Sponsorship. Before this, Mark worked with key brands at Heineken UK where he was Brand Director. He began his career at Procter & Gamble UK before working across Europe on a variety of brands. Mark is currently a Council Member of the Incorporated Society of British Advertisers (ISBA) and a Fellow of the Marketing Society.

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Prerana Issar

Chief People Officer

Prerana joined the Operating Board in May 2023. Prior to joining Sainsbury’s, Prerana was the NHS’s first Chief People Officer and supported the 1.2 million people who work for the NHS to deliver critical care for patients, including through the COVID-19 pandemic, the most challenging period of the NHS’s history. Before that, Prerana worked at the United Nations World Food Programme as Director of Public-Private Partnerships and Chief HR Officer. She is focused on HR delivering commercial impact, having started her career at Unilever plc, where she spent 15 years and finishing her time there as Vice President of HR for Global Food. Prerana is a trustee on the Marie Curie Board of Trustees.

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Clodagh Moriarty

Chief Retail and Technology Officer

Clodagh joined the Operating Board in 2018 and was appointed as Chief Retail and Technology Officer in March 2023, combining the leadership of Technology with the Group’s Digital and Retail teams. She is responsible for all stores and their operations, as well as Sainsbury’s digital offer and strategy, ensuring customers experience an integrated and seamless shopping experience across Sainsbury’s, Argos, Tu, Sainsbury’s Bank and Nectar. Clodagh’s previous roles in Sainsbury’s include Retail and Digital Director and Chief Digital Officer. Clodagh is the Operating Board Sponsor for Wellbeing. Clodagh joined Sainsbury’s as Head of Strategy, following nine years at Bain & Company. and, during her time with us, has had numerous leadership roles across commercial and channels. She is a Non-Executive Director of Taylor Wimpey plc and sits on their Nomination and Governance and Remuneration Committees.

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Lesley Jones

Chair of the Sainsbury’s Bank Board

Lesley joined Sainsbury’s Bank as its Chair in January 2021 and is also an Independent Member of Moody’s Investor Services Ltd. Lesley is a Non-Executive Director on the Board of Moneysupermarket.com Group plc, Chair of the Risk Committee and a member of their Audit and Nomination Committees.
 
Lesley started her career at Citigroup Inc. where she held a number of senior roles in relationship and risk management over a period of 30 years. She then spent over five years at RBS Group plc as Group Chief Credit Officer, where she rebalanced the Group’s credit risk appetite, established a market-leading credit function and led their Credit Quality Assurance function. Lesley was previously a Non-Executive Director of N Brown Group plc, ReAssure Group plc, Close Brothers Group plc and Northern Bank Limited.

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Robert Mulhall

Chief Executive Officer, Sainsbury’s Bank

Robert joined Sainsbury’s Bank in March 2024. Robert is an accomplished Financial Services executive with over 27 years’ experience operating in both industry and consulting roles in Ireland, UK, Canada and USA. Most recently he was the Managing Director for Financial Services globally at Vision Consulting and prior to this, Robert was CEO of Allied Irish Bank (UK) plc, following several years leading AIB’s Retail Banking business in Ireland. Robert also spent a couple of years leading Accenture’s banking consulting business in North America, focusing on distribution and marketing transformation in the retail banking and wealth management industries. 

Robert has extensive knowledge of Financial Services operations and regulation. He has a strong customer focus and a solid track record of successfully leading large scale transformation. As CEO of Allied Irish Bank (UK), he led the strategic restructuring of AIB (UK) plc, optimising returns, through the divestment of Commercial Banking/SME business and rationalised the Retail Bank in Northern Ireland. 

His collaborative approach and strong stakeholder management galvanises people behind a strong strategic plan. Robert is a Fellow of the Institute of Bankers and an Adjunct professor and Advisory Board member of Dublin City University Business School.

 
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Michael Larkin

Chief Financial Officer

Michael was appointed Chief Financial Officer of Sainsbury’s Bank in September 2018. He joined from the Royal Bank of Scotland, where he was the Finance Director for Personal and Business Banking. During his career, he has held a number of senior positions at the Royal Bank of Scotland, including Head of Finance across UK Retail Banking and Treasury and as Senior Manager of Group Financial Planning and Analysis. Prior to this, he worked for GE Capital Woodchester after starting his career at Martin Brokers Group. Michael has a broad range of expertise across Performance Management, Treasury, Pricing and Capital management and brings a wealth of financial experience and strategic thinking to the Bank.

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Carole Butler

Independent Non-Executive Director

Carole joined Sainsbury’s Bank in December 2018. She is Chair of the Audit Committee and is the Bank’s Senior Independent Non-Executive Director.
Carole is a chartered accountant and experienced business leader, combining profit and loss responsibility with end-to-end infrastructure experience. Carole has held senior executive roles in Merrill Lynch, JP Morgan and Barclays. She joined Barclays in 2006 in the Investment Bank, then transitioned to the Corporate Bank in 2010.  As global Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Corporate Bank, she had responsibility for all infrastructure groups. Later, as Head of the International Corporate Bank, she had responsibility for Europe, Asia, Africa and North America. Later roles included COO and Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Barclay’s Wealth Business.
 
Carole has extensive experience as a Non-Executive Director currently sitting on the Boards of Weatherbys Bank Ltd (Chair of Risk Committee, member of Audit and Remuneration Committees), the London Clearing House Group (Chair of Audit Committee and member of Board Risk Committee) and LCH SA (Chair of Audit Committee).

 
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Rosanne Murison

Independent Non-Executive Director

Rosanne joined Sainsbury’s Bank in August 2022 as an Independent Non-Executive Director and is the Chair of the Remuneration Committee. Rosanne also joined the Bank’s Board Risk Committee and is the Consumer Duty champion. Rosanne has held senior executive roles including Group Strategy Director at SSP Group plc, Vice-president and Partner at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and Client Director with Eden McCallum LLP. Rosanne has worked in a wide variety of sectors including consumer goods, retailing, finance, and insurance, which has seen her lead on business strategies for UK and global brands.
 
Rosanne is a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Remuneration Committee for Openwork, previously part of Zurich. Rosanne is also a Non-Executive Director and member of the Risk and Technology Committees for Vitality UK. Prior to this, Rosanne was Senior Independent Director, Chair of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee, Chair of the Customer and Conduct Committee and a member of the Risk and Audit Committees for Allianz Insurance.

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Helen Normoyle

Independent Non-Executive Director

Helen joined Sainsbury’s Bank in November 2024 as an Independent Non-Executive Director. Helen has joined the Bank’s Board Risk Committee and the Remuneration Committee. 

A graduate of the University of Limerick, Helen has held senior executive roles including Chief Marketing Officer with Boots the Chemists Ltd, Countrywide plc and DFS and founded her own business, Mymenopausecentre.com which she remains involved in. 

Helen is a Non-Executive Director on the Board of the Allied Irish Bank Group (AIB), Chair of the Sustainable Business Advisory Committee and member of the Nomination Committee and Technology & Data Advisory Committee. Helen has significant transformation and re-structuring experience in banking from her time on the Board of AIB during the post Financial crisis era. Helen is also a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Sustainability Committee and a member of the Remuneration Committee with Travelodge.  

 


 

 
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Bruce Richardson

J Sainsbury Plc Appointed Non-Executive Director

Bruce was appointed as a Director of Sainsbury’s Bank with effect from May 2024 and is a member of the Board and of its Board Risk and Audit Committees. 

Bruce joined Sainsbury’s Group in 2019 and is currently the Group Finance Director. Prior to Sainsbury’s, Bruce spent over 11 years in group finance and finance transformation roles in the retail sector at Dixons and Dixons Carphone (now Currys plc) finishing as Group Director of Financial Planning and Analysis. Prior to that, his earlier career after qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in South Africa was in the FMCG sector at Quaker Oats, then PepsiCo UK after they acquired Quaker – progressing through a number of roles covering financial control, financial planning, and finance transformation. 

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Guy Thomas

Independent Non-Executive Director

Guy joined the Board in July 2017, is Chair of the Bank’s Board Risk Committee and sits on its Audit Committee. He has a background in accountancy, finance and capital markets with 30 years in the financial services industry (West of England Building Society, Birmingham Midshires, Staffordshire Building Society and Principality Building Society) with specific experience in Finance, Capital Markets, Treasury, Lending, Risk and General Management. He has an excellent pedigree in the lending industry with more recent experience in market operations, mergers and acquisitions and disposals. He retired from his Executive Director role at Principality Building Society in October 2014 and has since served as a Non-Executive Director on the Boards of three organisations in the lending industry.

He is currently Chair of Penhurst Properties and holds board positions with The Housing Finance Corporation Limited, its subsidiaries and related companies. He is also a pro-bono member of DWR Cymru (Welsh Water).