Former M&S co-CEO Katie Bickerstaffe is to join Sainsbury’s as a non-executive director.
Bickerstaffe will join the business after its annual group meeting on 3 July, alongside current Sage Group CEO Steve Hare, who has also been appointed as a non-executive director.
Meanwhile, Brian Cassin, a board member since 2016, will not seek re-election as senior independent director, and will be succeeded in the role by Adrian Hennah from 3 July.
“I am delighted to welcome Katie and Steve as non-executive directors,” said Sainsbury’s chair Martin Scicluna.
“Their extensive experience and leadership in retail and digital businesses will be invaluable to our board. Katie’s strong perspectives on digital transformation and Steve’s expertise in leading tech businesses will greatly contribute to our strategic direction. We look forward to their insights and contributions as we continue to drive Sainsbury’s forward.”
It marks a return to retail for Bickerstaffe, since she stepped down from her role as joint co-CEO of M&S in July 2024, leaving Stuart Machin as the retailer’s sole CEO. Bickerstaffe said she intended to pursue a portfolio career and also holds non-executive board positions at the England & Wales Cricket Board, house builder Barrett developments, Abrdn and the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust among others.
She was appointed non-executive director at M&S in 2018, before joining the executive team as chief transformation and strategy director in 2020. She was previously CEO of Dixons Carphone and SSE, and held roles at Somerfield Stores group, Dyson, PepsiCo and Unilever.
“Retail is an incredibly competitive sector and Sainsbury’s has a long-standing reputation for delivering exceptional value and quality to its customers,” Bickerstaffe said.
“I’m excited to join the board and help Sainsbury’s to foster further innovation and excellence.”
Bickerstaffe will sit on the supermarket’s CSR committee and the nomination and governance committee, while Hare will join the audit and nomination and governance committees.
On his appointment, Hare said: “I am thrilled to be joining the Sainsbury’s board at a very important time for the business. The Next Level Sainsbury’s strategy is an exciting vision for the future, and I look forward to working with the board and leadership team to continue creating value for shareholders.”
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