Greggs CFO retires after 28 years with the chain

Greggs CFO Richard Hutton is to leave the high street bakery chain after 28 years with the company, including 20 on its board.

Hutton will remain with Greggs until the end of the year, with Ben Waldron taking over the role from 1 January.

Waldron will join Greggs on 27 October as CFO designate. He brings more than 14 years in senior leadership experience from his time at fresh prepared foods manufacturer Bakkavor.

Waldron held the roles of CFO, group strategy director, CEO in Asia and boss of the US business while at Bakkavor.

Since leaving Bakkavor, Waldron has been based in Australia working across a portfolio of advisory roles. He also worked for financial services firm EY for 12 years prior to Bakkavor.

Waldron will work closely with the outgoing Greggs CFO during a handover period before Hutton retires.

“On behalf of the board, I look forward to welcoming Ben to Greggs as chief financial officer,” chairman Matt Davies said. “He will join the business at an exciting stage in its continued development. His strong financial and commercial expertise, together with his experience in senior operational leadership roles within an international food manufacturing business, will be an invaluable asset to Greggs.

“I would also like to thank Richard for his outstanding commitment and leadership over many years. Since joining the board in 2006, he has played a central role in the development of the business and supported a period of significant growth. We are grateful that he will remain with Greggs to support an orderly handover before his retirement at the end of 2026.”

CEO Roisin Currie added: “Richard has been a trusted colleague, and I have greatly valued the partnership we have built over many years. His contribution to Greggs has been outstanding, and he will leave with the warmest thanks and very best wishes from everyone across the company. I am also looking forward to welcoming Ben to Greggs and look forward to working with him as we continue to deliver our ambitious strategic plans.”

Waldron said: “I am delighted to be joining Greggs, a great British brand with a strong culture and exciting opportunities for continued growth. I look forward to working with Matt, Roisin, the board and the wider Greggs team to support the next stage of the company’s development.”