Board of Directors

Gillian Berkmen*
Non-executive Director

Aged 50, she was appointed to the Board in November 2009. Gillian is currently the Group Brand and Commercial Director of Mothercare. Before joining Mothercare, Gillian was a Director of Watches of Switzerland and jewellers Mappin & Webb. Prior to this she spent 19 years working for well known high street brands such as Miss Selfridge, Bhs and River Island.

Jessica Burley*
Non-executive Director

Aged 44, she was appointed to the Board in November 2009. Jessica is currently CEO of MCHI, a full service advertising agency. Jessica is also an independent non-executive Director of Talk Talk Telecom Group PLC. Prior to joining MCHI Jessica was Managing Director of The National Magazine Company, the publisher of magazines such as Good Housekeeping, Country Living and Cosmopolitan. She has previously worked at publishers Gruner & Jahr and as Publishing Director at Financial Times Business. 

Steve Bodger*
Non-executive Chairman

Aged 61, he was appointed a non-executive director in November 2004 and was appointed non-executive Chairman in November 2007. He is a Director of Alchemy Venture Partners Ltd and Armour Group Plc and Work Group Plc and is the Chairman of a number of private companies.

Paul Allen
Chief Executive

Aged 46, he joined the Company from Price Waterhouse in October 1994 and was appointed Finance Director in August 1997 and Chief Executive in May 2003.

Christopher Baker*
Senior Independent Director

Aged 58, he joined the Board in March 1999. He is Chairman of the Audit and Remuneration Committees. He has a background in corporate finance and retail, is a non-executive Director of a number of public and private sector organisations and is non-executive Chairman of the Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. He is the Chairman of the Baird Group Pension Scheme Trustee and the Jacques Vert (2006) Pension Scheme Trustee.

Ian Johnson BSC ACA
Finance Director

Aged 50, he joined the Board in November 2003. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Coopers & Lybrand in 1984 and has held a number of Finance Director positions within listed and private companies.

* Member of the Remuneration and Audit Committees