Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

New CEO announced as A.G. Barr reports upbeat result

New CEO announced as A.G. Barr reports upbeat result
REUTERS/Russell Cheyne//File Photo
REUTERS

A.G. Barr, the owner of brands such as IRN-BRU and Rubicon, has appointed consumer goods industry veteran Euan Sutherland as its next Chief Executive with effect from May 1.

Sutherland will replace Roger White, who announced last August that he would be stepping down at the end of April after leading the business for over two decades. He will remain available until the end of July to support the leadership transition.


He was most recently CEO of Saga but has previously been CEO of Superdry and the Co-op Group, having served as COO at Kingfisher. Sutherland also has a background in FMCG brands, including Mars and Coca-Cola, plus eight years on the board of Britvic as a non-executive director.

Mark Allen, Chair of A.G. Barr, commented, “I am delighted that Euan is joining A.G. Barr. He has substantial experience across several consumer-facing businesses and will be a strong addition to the Board. He is well placed to lead A.G. Barr through the next exciting phase of its development and to ensure the continued long term success of the business.”

Separately, the drinks maker posted an upbeat trading statement covering the year to 28 January 2024.

A.G. Barr’s total revenue is expected to be around £400m, representing 26 per cent year-on-year growth and 7.6 per cent on a like-for-like basis, excluding the contribution from the Boost Drinks business it acquired in December 2022.

As a result, the group is now forecasting a 13.8 per cent rise in annual profit to around £49.5m, slightly ahead of previous market expectations, partly helped by strength in its speciality coffee business and price hikes.

In soft drinks, the group noted that inflation in the wider market had continued to drive value growth but impacted volumes. However, A.G. Barr’s brand-building and pricing strategy was said to have delivered both value and volume growth.

In its FUNKIN Cocktails unit, the group experienced a strong fourth quarter, particularly in the off-trade, while the on-trade channel remained “variable” as venues experienced reduced footfall.

A.G. Barr noted that it continued to experience cost inflation, albeit at a less significant level than in the prior year.

It added, “Our supply chain capital investment programme is on track, supporting the in-sourcing of the Boost and Rio brands. The associated operational leverage and synergy benefits are supporting the acceleration of our margin rebuild programme.”

More for you

Trust in UK-produced food reaches highest level in three years

iStock image

Trust in UK-produced food reaches highest level in three years

Trust in UK-produced food has reached its highest level since 2021 following three years of falling confidence in standards.

Most (75 per cent) adults now say they trust food produced in the UK. This is a rise from 71 per cent in 2023, although still below the level of trust felt by shoppers in 2021 (81 per cent).

Keep ReadingShow less
Carlsberg Britvic launches officially as acquisition deal completes

Image from Britvic

Carlsberg Britvic launches officially as acquisition deal completes

Carlsberg Britvic is celebrating its official launch today (17) following the completion of the deal for Carlsberg Group to acquire Britvic plc.

In a landmark moment in the history of Carlsberg Group and the British drinks industry, today (17) marks the official launch of Carlsberg Britvic – the new company uniting Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (CMBC) and Britvic’s UK business.

Keep ReadingShow less
Paul Friston

Paul Friston

M&S veteran Paul Friston joins 2 Sisters Food Group as chief financial officer

Boparan Holdings Limited (BHL), the parent company of 2 Sisters Food Group, has announced the appointment of Paul Friston as its new group chief financial officer (CFO).

Friston will join the 2 Sisters Food Group business in early February and become a member of the BHL board.

Keep ReadingShow less
Fundraiser launched to restore Oxfordshire Spar store damaged in ram-raid

Spar Minster Lovell store damaged by ram-raid

Fundraiser launched to restore Oxfordshire Spar store damaged in ram-raid

A resident of Oxfordshire has started a campaign to raise funds to install metal shutters for Spar Minster Lovell store the front doors of which were completely devastated during a ram raid recently.

Calling the shop as "cornerstone" of her community in Oxfordshire, resident Karen Turner-Dutton is calling on people to offer donation to restore Spar Minster Lovell, owned and run by the family of retailer Ian Lewis, after its front was damaged badly during the shocking ram-raid.

Keep ReadingShow less
Davie’s Mobile Grocery Shop

Davie’s Mobile Grocery Shop

Photo: Payzone

A store on the move: Davie’s grocery van transforms convenience retail in Glasgow

In Glasgow's East End, Davie’s Mobile Grocery Shop is rewriting the rules of convenience retail. Operated from a van, this innovative store brings groceries and essential services directly to the community, making shopping easier and more accessible.

Through a partnership with Payzone, Davie has extended his offerings to include bill payment services, enhancing both customer convenience and his business prospects.

Keep ReadingShow less