Share price 1139.00 GBX 5th November 2024 at 13:43 PM

Alison Brittain

Chair – Independent on appointment

Alison Brittain

Chair – Independent on appointment
Appointed

September 2022 and as Chair in January 2023 

Board Committees
  • Nomination Committee (Chair) 
  • Remuneration Committee 
Gender
  • Female
Nationality
  • British
Ethnicity
  • White
Skills and contribution

Alison is an experienced business leader who brings considerable expertise to the Board as NED and former Chief Executive of a range of consumer-facing companies. Her skillset enables her to provide valuable insight on strategic matters and a strong focus on execution, which are key to our continued growth. In addition, she has successfully scaled businesses in the UK and internationally, has longstanding plc experience and a deep understanding of stakeholder perspectives. This positions her perfectly to facilitate constructive challenge and debate as our Chair.

Previous roles

Alison was CEO of Whitbread PLC from 2015 to 2023. Prior to that, she held several senior roles in the UK banking industry, serving as Group Director in the Retail Division of Lloyds Banking Group PLC (2011-2015), Board Director at Santander UK PLC (2007-2011) and Barclays PLC (1987-2007). Alison was a Non-Executive Director of Marks & Spencer Group PLC from 2014 to 2020.

Other commitments

Chair of English football’s Premier League. Senior Independent Director at Experian plc. Non-executive Director at British Airways plc. Chair of the King’s Trust Group of Charities (formerly The Prince’s Trust).

Sir Will Adderley

Deputy Chair – Non-independent

Sir Will Adderley

Deputy Chair – Non-independent
Appointed

April 2003

Board Committees

Nomination Committee 

Gender
  • Male
Nationality
  • British
Ethnicity
  • White
Skills and contribution

Will brings a unique perspective to the Board as a result of his broad and deep understanding of the business and his in-depth knowledge of its corporate history. This adds significant value to Board debate and informed decision-making. Will also plays a key role in contributing to the ongoing development of our purpose and culture, which has been built from the shared values instilled by the Adderley family when the business was founded. Will retains an executive role to support the business in matters agreed with the Chief Executive, as required. 

Previous roles

Will has worked for Dunelm his whole career since joining in 1992. He took over the day-to-day running of the Group from his father in 1996 and remained as Chief Executive through the Group’s IPO in 2006. Will became Deputy Chairman in February 2011 and was reappointed Chief Executive in September 2014 for an interim period until 31 December 2015.

Other commitments

Owner of WA Capital Limited and Trustee of Stoneygate Trust. 

Nick Wilkinson

Chief Executive Officer – Non-independent

Nick Wilkinson

Chief Executive Officer – Non-independent
Appointed

February 2018

Gender
  • Male
Nationality
  • British
Ethnicity
  • White
Skills and contribution

Nick is an experienced Chief Executive, with a proven track record in multichannel retail businesses operating across a number of consumer brands and geographies. His leadership is pivotal in developing and overseeing delivery of our strategy, driving growth and ongoing transformation, increasing market share, and continuing to strengthen our customer offer and experience. Nick chairs our Good and Circular Steering Group, steering our plans to build sustainability into all that we do.

Previous roles

Nick was the Chief Executive of Evans Cycles from 2011 to 2016 and the Chief Executive of Maxeda DIY from 2007 to 2010. Prior to that, he was Group Buying Director and MD of Currys at Dixons Retail Group (1999 to 2006). Nick spent his early career at Unilever and McKinsey & Co. 

Other commitments 

Trustee of Rewilding Britain. 

Karen Witts

Chief Financial Officer – Non-independent

Karen Witts

Chief Financial Officer – Non-independent
Appointed

June 2022 

Gender
  • Female
Nationality
  • British
Ethnicity
  • White
Skills and contribution

Karen is a highly experienced Chief Financial Officer with a strong background in finance and management across global retail and consumer-facing businesses. Karen plays an important role in developing and overseeing delivery of our strategic initiatives, driving innovation, and ensuring that we maintain strong operational grip. In addition to leading on financial management, Karen regularly engages with our investors and corporate advisors. Karen chairs the Risk and Resilience Committee, providing oversight of risk management and ensuring the business is operating within our risk appetite.

Past experience

Karen was Chief Financial Officer of Compass Group plc from 2019 to 2021 and CFO of Kingfisher Group plc from 2012 to 2019. Before that, she held various senior finance, strategic and operational roles with Vodafone Group plc (2010 to 2012), and at BT Group plc (1999 to 2010). Karen qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Ernst & Whinney. 

Other commitments

Non-Executive Director of Ipsen Pharma, SA 

Ian Bull

Non-Executive Director – Independent

Ian Bull

Non-Executive Director – Independent
Appointed

July 2019 

Board Committees
  • Audit and Risk Committee (Chair)
  • Nomination Committee
  • Remuneration Committee
Gender
  • Male
Nationality
  • British
Ethnicity
  • White
Skills and contribution

Ian has over 30 years’ experience as a strategy and finance specialist built from executive and non-executive roles at online and multi-site consumer-facing businesses. He has longstanding plc experience, with a deep understanding of audit practices and risk management frameworks, which enables him to promote open and frank discussions and challenge, as well as ensure strong relationships with management, auditors, and other stakeholders. Ian is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. 

Previous roles

Ian was Chief Financial Officer of Parkdean Resorts Group from 2016 to 2018 and Chief Financial Officer of Ladbrokes plc from 2011 to 2016. He was Group Finance Director of Greene King plc (2006 to 2011), having spent his early finance career at Whitbread PLC, Walt Disney Company and BT Group. Ian is a former Non-Executive Director and Audit Chair of Paypoint Limited, Senior Independent Director and Audit Committee Chair of St. Modwen Properties plc and Chair of Lookers plc. 

Other commitments

Senior Independent Director at Domino’s Pizza Group plc and Non-Executive Director at Croda International Plc.

Ajay Kavan

Non-Executive Director – Independent

Ajay Kavan

Non-Executive Director – Independent
Appointed

March 2024 

Board Committees
  • Audit and Risk Committee
  • Nomination Committee
  • Remuneration Committee
Gender
  • Male
Nationality
  • British
Ethnicity
  • Asian
Skills and contribution

Ajay is an accomplished business leader with strong digital and retail credentials and experience driving organic growth, strategic partnerships, and M&A. Ajay’s expertise in delivering online and multi-channel propositions, together with his in-depth understanding of operations and relationships from his work as an advisor and mentor, strengthens the Board’s skills as we continue to drive growth across our total retail system.  

Previous roles

Ajay was Chief Executive of Matches Fashion from 2020 to 2021 and Vice President at Amazon from 2011 to 2020. Prior to that, he was Marketing and Strategy Director, Homebase at Home Retail Group (2004–2011) and Multi-Channel Director, B&Q at Kingfisher (2000-2004). 

Other commitments

Senior Advisor at KKR, member of advisory panel to Piper Private Equity, Non-Executive at Rohlik Group, mentor to CEOs of high growth US/EU digital businesses and Vice Chair of In Kind Direct. 

William Reeve

Senior Independent Non-Executive Director – Independent

William Reeve

Senior Independent Non-Executive Director – Independent
Appointed

July 2015 

Board Committees
  • Remuneration Committee (Chair) 
  • Audit and Risk Committee 
  • Nomination Committee 
Gender
  • Male
Nationality
  • British
Ethnicity
  • White
Skills and contribution

William is a serial entrepreneur and technology investor with extensive experience in the digital sector and of M&A. He has served as a Non-Executive Director of PLCs, P/E backed businesses and startups, placing him in an ideal position to be our Senior Independent Director and chair our Remuneration Committee, ensuring that our approach to remuneration is aligned with our strategic objectives and values.

Previous roles

William co-founded three internet- related businesses: Fletcher Research, LOVEFiLM.com, and Secret Escapes. He is a former non-Executive Director of Graze.com, Paddy Power plc, Zoopla and Nutmeg among others. 

Other commitments

Chief Executive of Oh Goodlord Limited.

Marion Sears

Non-Executive Director and Designated NED for colleague matters – Non-Independent

Marion Sears

Non-Executive Director and Designated NED for colleague matters – Non-Independent
Appointed

July 2004 

Board Committees

Nomination Committee 

Gender
  • Female
Nationality
  • British
Ethnicity
  • White
Skills and contribution

A long-standing Board Director, Marion brings a wealth of expertise from her extensive City, investment and banking career which included navigating complex mergers and acquisitions. Utilising her significant plc experience and stakeholder understanding, enhanced by her role as the Designated Colleague NED for colleague matters, Marion plays an important role in facilitating informed Board decision-making. 

Previous roles

Marion was Dunelm’s Senior Independent Director and Chair of the Remuneration Committee from 2006 to 2015 and was Chair of the Nomination Committee until 2016. She had an executive career in the City in investment banking at Flemings, Chase and JP Morgan, prior to which she worked in corporate finance, as an investment analyst and in industry. Marion's previous Non-Executive Director experience includes WH Smith and Persimmon where she chaired the remuneration and ESG committees.

Other commitments

Non-Executive Director and Chair of Remuneration Committee at Keywords Studios plc, Non-Executive Director at Schroder Asian Total Return Investment Company plc and Director of WA Capital Limited.

Arja Taaveniku

Non-Executive Director – Independent

Arja Taaveniku

Non-Executive Director – Independent
Appointed

February 2021 

Board Committees
  • Audit and Risk Committee  
  • Nomination Committee
  • Remuneration Committee
Gender
  • Female
Nationality
  • Swedish
Ethnicity
  • White
Skills and contribution

Arja is an experienced business leader, with a wealth of knowledge from her executive roles at international home retail businesses. She has particular expertise in the strategic and operational development of customer propositions and product value chains, as well as environmental, social and governance ('ESG') initiatives, driving Board debate in these important areas.  

Past experience

Arja was a member of the Group Executive at Kingfisher plc and Chief Executive of its subsidiary, Kingfisher International Products Limited from 2015 to 2018. Prior to that, she was Chief Executive of lkano Group S.A. (2012 to 2015), having previously held various leadership roles at IKEA Group from 1989 to 2012 including Global Business Area Director. Arja is a former Chair of Polarn O. Pyret and Svenska Handelsfastigheter AB and Non-Executive Director at Handelsbanken Group. 

Other commitments  

CEO of HomeCentre (Landmark Group).

Vijay Talwar

Non-Executive Director – Independent

Vijay Talwar

Non-Executive Director – Independent
Appointed

October 2021 

Board Committees
  • Audit and Risk Committee  
  • Nomination Committee 
  • Remuneration Committee
Gender
  • Male
Nationality
  • Indian
Ethnicity
  • Asian
Skills and contribution

Vijay is a proven business leader in driving significant digital and operational transformations. He has broad international executive experience developed at consumer-facing, omni-channel businesses, bringing a different dimension to Board discussions. Further, as a former Certified Public Accountant and CFO, he provides depth to the Audit and Risk Committee’s oversight.

Previous roles

Vijay was Chief Executive Officer of ContextLogic Inc from February to September 2022. Prior to that, he was Chief Executive Officer of Footlocker EMEA from 2019 to 2022 and President of Digital at Foot Locker Inc from 2016 to 2019. Previously, he was President of Gifts/Special Occasions at Sears Holdings (2014 to 2016), held C-suite positions at Blue Nile from 2010 to 2014 and was Chief Executive Officer at William J Clinton Foundation India (2008 to 2010). Vijay was COO for EMEA at Nike from 2002 to 2008.

Other commitments

Chief Commercial Officer and Chief Digital Officer at Avolta AG (formerly Dufry AG).

Dan Taylor

Non-Executive Director – Independent

Dan Taylor

Non-Executive Director – Independent
Appointed

March 2024 

Board Committees
  • Audit and Risk Committee  
  • Nomination Committee 
  • Remuneration Committee
Gender
  • Male
Nationality
  • British
Ethnicity
  • White
Skills and contribution

Dan is an experienced CEO, with a recognised track record of delivering strategic plans to drive growth in digital and consumer-facing brands and leading on M&A and integration programmes, both in the UK and internationally. His experience adds further depth and understanding to Board debate as we continue to evolve our customer proposition. 

Previous roles

Dan held senior Executive roles at PaddyPowerBetfair from 2015 to 2020; he was Chief Executive (2018-2020), MD, UK & Ireland (2017-2018) and MD, Retail (2015-2017). Before that, he was Managing Director of Teletext Holidays (2013-2014), Director of Strategy and Commercial Development at DMG Media (2009-2013) and Associate Partner at OC&C Strategy Consultants (2001-2009). 

Other commitments

CEO of Flutter International at Flutter Entertainment plc. 

Luisa Wright

Group General Counsel & Company Secretary

Luisa Wright

Group General Counsel & Company Secretary
Appointed

November 2022

Gender
  • Female
Nationality
  • British
Ethnicity
  • White
Skills and contribution

Luisa is an accomplished general counsel, company secretary and regulatory advisor, with extensive plc experience built at consumer-facing digital, retail and technology companies. She attends Board and Board Committee meetings, ensures that legal and governance matters are not only anticipated but also considered and addressed, and offers invaluable support to the Board.  

Previous roles

Luisa was Group General Counsel & Company Secretary of The Rank Group Plc from 2018 to 2022 and Group General Counsel & Company Secretary of Sportech Plc from 2011 to 2017.Prior to that, Luisa was a private practice lawyer at Olswang LLP (now CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP) from 2000 to 2011. Luisa qualified as a lawyer with Olswang LLP. 

Other commitments

None 

Bill Adderley

Founder and Life President

Bill Adderley

Founder and Life President

Bill, together with his wife Jean, founded the business in 1979. Although no longer on the Board or actively involved in management, Jean remains a major shareholder. 

Useful links

Vision, purpose and values

Strategy

Governance