Kevin O’Byrne
Senior Independent Director
Kevin joined the Board on 13 May 2019. He became Senior Independent Director on 1 June 2022 and is a member of the Audit and Risk Committee and the Nominations Committee. He will succeed Scott Wheway as Chair with effect from 16 December 2024.
Board and Committee Memberships
Relevant Skills and Experience:
Kevin brings extensive retail and finance experience to the Board, having occupied senior roles in a number of leading UK and international retailers. The Board considers that Kevin has recent and relevant financial experience.
Previous Experience:
Kevin was chief financial officer of J Sainsbury plc from January 2017 to March 2023. Prior to that, he was chief executive officer of Poundland Group plc, and previously held executive roles at Kingfisher plc, including divisional director UK, China and Turkey, chief executive officer of B&Q UK & Ireland and group finance director. Prior to that he was finance director of Dixons Retail plc. From 2008 to 2017 he was a non-executive director and chairman of the audit committee of Land Securities Group PLC where he was also senior independent director from 2012 to 2016. Kevin was Chair of Centrica plc’s Audit and Risk Committee from 2019 to 2023.
External Appointments:
Non-executive director of International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (NYSE listed).
Responsibilities:
Our Non-Executive Directors, through their diverse experience and skills, scrutinise the performance of management and constructively challenge and help develop our strategy. They uphold high standards of integrity and probity. They form the Audit and Risk, Nominations, Remuneration and Safety, Environmental and Sustainability Committees. In addition, the Senior Independent Director acts as a sounding board for the Chair and serves as an intermediary for the other Directors, as well as shareholders, as required.