Our leadership team

TENURE

Appointed to the Board in July 2016 and became Senior Independent Director in May 2019 before being appointed Chair in January 2020.

NATIONALITY 

American

BIOGRAPHY

Thérèse has significant international investment banking experience having held a number of roles at JP Morgan including global chair of JP Morgan’s Financial Institutions Group, co-head of Asia-Pacific Corporate & Investment Banking, global head of Debt Capital Markets, and head of US Debt Capital Markets. She began her career at Lehman Brothers and joined Chase Securities in 1997 prior to the firm’s merger with JP Morgan in 2000. Thérèse was previously senior independent director of National Grid plc.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Thérèse has enjoyed a pre-eminent career as a leader in the financial sector, with deep knowledge of banking and business. She is an experienced board member of international corporates, with valuable experience in highly regulated industries. Thérèse continues to drive engagement and debate within the Board and constructive challenge of Imperial’s strategy.

OUTSIDE INTERESTS

Non-Executive Director of Moody's Corporation.

TENURE

Appointed in July 2020.

NATIONALITY

German

BIOGRAPHY

Stefan joined Imperial from Inchcape plc, a global distribution and retail leader in the premium and luxury automotive sectors, where he delivered successful transformational change during a five-year tenure as chief executive. Prior to Inchcape, Stefan was president of Bacardi Limited’s European region and was also responsible for Bacardi’s Global commercial organisation and Global Travel Retail. Previous roles have included chief commercial officer of Cadbury plc and chief operating officer of Unilever Food Solutions Europe. This followed senior management and sales and marketing positions at Diageo (Burger King) and Procter & Gamble.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Stefan brings to the Board a wealth of experience managing strategic change and brand leadership in retail and consumer companies. His deep and wide-ranging career in FMCG and challenger businesses makes him ideally suited to provide insight and direction as Imperial delivers its strategy.

OUTSIDE INTERESTS

Non-Executive Director of Compass Group PLC.

TENURE

Appointed May 2021.

NATIONALITY

Swiss

BIOGRAPHY

Lukas has a proven track record in multinational consumer goods companies around the world. He joined Imperial from agricultural commodities and brokerage group ED&F Man Holdings, where he was chief financial officer. He has also held senior positions at Fonterra, a New Zealand and Australia listed co-operative and the world’s largest dairy exporter, with sales in 130 countries. He was chief financial officer from 2013-2017 and chief operating officer, Global Consumer and Foodservice Business from 2017-2018. Prior to that, he spent 22 years with Nestlé in various senior finance and general management roles.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Lukas is an experienced finance professional, having delivered global shared services and major technology transformation across a variety of multinational companies. He brings a breadth of financial and commercial insight to the Board and extensive knowledge of digital, cyber and IT security matters from his career in consumer-focused companies.

OUTSIDE INTERESTS

Member of The 100 Group of finance directors of the FTSE 100.

TENURE

Appointed Non-Executive Director in December 2018, Chair of the Remuneration Committee in February 2019 and Senior Independent Director in January 2020.

NATIONALITY

British

BIOGRAPHY

Sue has strong international business credentials with over 20 years’ executive committee and board-level experience in the FMCG, regulated transport and utility sectors. Sue held the role of managing director of SABMiller Europe and was an executive committee member of SABMiller plc. She joined SABMiller in 2003 as corporate affairs director and was part of the executive team that built the business into a top-five FTSE company. Sue was previously a non-executive director at Britvic plc.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Sue has vast executive and nonexecutive experience, gained in a variety of senior roles spanning commercial, regulatory and government affairs within multinational companies. Her wideranging board, regulatory and FMCG knowledge has been invaluable during discussions on performance and ESG. Sue’s insight of corporate governance practice and stakeholder views creates a strong fit to her roles as Remuneration Committee Chair and Senior Independent Director.

OUTSIDE INTERESTS

Senior independent director and chair of the remuneration committee at Mondi plc and easyJet plc.

TENURE

Appointed November 2021.

NATIONALITY

Nigerian

BIOGRAPHY

Ngozi has over 35 years’ experience in finance/private equity, general management and strategy/business development functions with multinational companies in Europe, the US and Africa. She has held roles in McKinsey & Company, Pfizer Inc., Actis LLP and JP Morgan. Previous non-executive director positions include Guinness Nigeria, PZ Cussons, Barloworld, Stanbic IBTC Holdings and Vlisco Group.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Ngozi has enjoyed a wide-ranging career, with extensive experience in corporate finance, strategy and leading change. Her knowledge gained through a career in international, regulated and consumer-focused companies allows her to share deep insight during Board discussions on performance, sustainability matters and transformation. Ngozi’s skill set makes her invaluable as the Board considers its future strategic direction.

OUTSIDE INTERESTS

Non-executive director of Unilever Nigeria PLC, Bank of Africa – BMCE Group and Ikeja Hotel PLC.

TENURE

Appointed in January 2024.

NATIONALITY

American

BIOGRAPHY

Julie, who was Chief Commercial and Global Sales Officer at Diageo until August 2023, has over 30 years’ experience in marketing, strategy and digital transformation. Prior to Diageo, Julie spent 25 years at The Coca-Cola Company where she held a range of leadership positions, including Chief Customer and Commercial Leadership Officer.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Julie is an experienced global leader who brings deep knowledge of delivering commercial change in multinational consumer businesses. Her understanding of digital transformation and global brands will be invaluable to the Board as it continues to oversee Imperial’s strategy and transformation.

OUTSIDE INTERESTS

None.

TENURE

Appointed Non-Executive Director in January 2021, and Chair of the Audit Committee in February 2025.

NATIONALITY

British and Italian

BIOGRAPHY

Alan has a financial background following a 30+ year career in Unilever, including chief audit executive and chief financial officer of the Global Foods Division. He was CFO and then non-executive director of Jerónimo Martins SGPS, S.A. until 2016, and remains the independent chairman of the company’s internal control committee. He was non-executive director at the UK Department for International Development, president and chair of the board of the International Federation of Accountants, chair of the audit committee of the International Valuation Standards Council and, until January 2025, a non-executive director of DS Smith.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Alan has a breadth and depth of knowledge and insight into financial, accounting and FMCG issues following a distinguished career in senior roles across the commercial and regulatory spheres. This unique skill set allows for challenge and debate at both the Audit Committee and Board.

OUTSIDE INTERESTS

Non-executive director of William Grant & Sons Ltd (where he chairs the audit committee), chair of the Stakeholder Advisory Council to the Audit and Ethics Standards Setting Boards and chair of the Good Governance Academy.

TENURE

Appointed November 2020.

NATIONALITY

Austrian

BIOGRAPHY

Bob is an experienced marketing professional and has held a number of senior roles at leading FMCG companies. In April 2024 he retired after 17 years as chief executive officer of Campari Group, a major player in the global spirits industry. Bob previously held positions of increasing responsibility and global reach at Procter & Gamble, including global prestige products corporate marketing director. He was previously a fellow at the Elis Institute in Rome and vice chairman of Altagamma, the Italian luxury goods association.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Bob has extensive and deep knowledge of the global fast-moving consumer goods sector following a lengthy career in marketing and brand management in multinational companies. His long and distinguished tenure as CEO of Campari Group provides unparalleled insight and experience to draw on during different aspects of Board discussions.

OUTSIDE INTERESTS

Non-executive director of the supervisory board of Carlsberg A/S, Campari Group and Luigi Lavazza S.p.A. (where he chairs the remuneration committee).

TENURE

Appointed May 2019.

NATIONALITY

British

BIOGRAPHY

Jon has a wide range of international leadership experience, encompassing transformation, M&A and all aspects of finance, principally in the B2B sector. In 2016 he was appointed chief executive of The Weir Group plc, one of the world’s leading engineering businesses, having previously been CFO from 2010. Prior to that he spent 22 years at Ernst & Young, LLP, the last nine years of which were as a partner in its London office, where he led global board-level relationships. Jon is a Chartered Accountant and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Jon has enjoyed a lengthy and illustrious career with over 30 years’ experience in international business and accountancy. As the CEO of a FTSE 100 listed company, he brings wideranging board, financial and regulatory experience to Imperial, lending his deep knowledge and insight into our strategic and financial discussions.

OUTSIDE INTERESTS

Chief Executive of The Weir Group plc.

TENURE

Appointed May 2023.

NATIONALITY

British

BIOGRAPHY

Emily, a chartered accountant and Fellow of the Chartered Governance Institute, has enjoyed a 25-year career in finance, regulatory affairs, compliance, governance and company secretarial matters, with significant experience in the oil and gas and sports betting and gaming industries. Prior to joining Imperial, Emily held a number of roles of increasing seniority including 14 years at BP plc and three years at Entain plc where she was Group Company Secretary.