Appointment of New AG Barr Chair

Darren Shapland joins AG Barr as independent Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Board, with effect from 1 September 2026. 

Darren brings 40 years of extensive financial, operational, and governance experience within major UK retail, leisure and other consumer businesses. He currently serves as the Non-Executive Chair of Hollywood Bowl Group Plc and as an independent Non-Executive Director at JD Sports Fashion plc.

His previous public board roles include serving as Non-Executive Chair of Topps Tiles Plc and Poundland Plc.  He was also formerly a Non-Executive Director and Audit Committee Chair at each of Ladbrokes Plc and Ferguson Plc. During his executive career, Darren was Chief Executive Officer of Carpetright Plc, having previously held Chief Financial Officer roles at J Sainsbury Plc, Carpetright Plc and Superdrug (Kingfisher Plc), following senior finance and operational leadership roles at The Burton Group Plc.

With this appointment, Darren also assumes the position of Chair of the Nomination Committee and will be a member of the Remuneration and ESG Committees.  As a result of his appointment, Susan Barratt steps down from the position of Interim Chair and resumes her role as Senior Independent Director.  Concurrently, Louise Smalley steps down as Interim Senior Independent Director, and will continue to serve on the Board as an independent Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Remuneration Committee.

Euan Sutherland, CEO of AG Barr, said: "On behalf of the entire team, I want to thank Susan for her exceptionally steady leadership as Interim Chair over the past few months, and I am very pleased that the business will continue to benefit from her deep commercial insight. We are incredibly excited to welcome Darren to A.G. BARR.  His wealth of consumer, commercial, and financial expertise will be invaluable as we continue to drive long-term value for our shareholders, build our brand momentum, and execute our growth strategy."

Darren Shapland, incoming Chair of AG Barr, said: “A.G. BARR is a business with a truly unique heritage, powerful brands, and a highly robust financial foundation. I am delighted to be taking over as Chair at such a pivotal time in the Company's journey. I look forward to working with Euan and Susan, and the rest of the Board and executive leadership team to support the business in achieving its long-term strategic objectives."