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AG Barr PLC, the British soft drinks group behind iconic brands such as Irn-Bru, Rubicon, Boost, and Funkin, has announced the immediate resignation of its non-executive chair, Mark Allen OBE.

The departure triggers an immediate leadership transition at the board level, with the company confirming that an independent search for a permanent successor is now underway.

Reason for Departure: Expanded Role at Hilton

Allen’s decision to step down is driven by a significant change in his other professional commitments. He has recently transitioned from non-executive chair to executive chair at Hilton Food Group, a role that requires increased focus and time commitment.

Reflecting on his five-year tenure at AG Barr, Allen noted the timing was appropriate given the company's current stability.

“The business is in great shape and now is the right time to pass on the baton and focus on my other commitments,” Allen commented. He highlighted the progress made during his leadership, specifically citing brand portfolio innovation, value-accretive mergers and acquisitions, and consistent shareholder returns.

Interim Leadership Structure

To ensure continuity during the search process, the board has activated its succession contingency:

• Interim Chair: Susan Barratt, previously the senior independent director, has assumed the role of interim chair.

• Senior Independent Director: Non-executive director Louise Smalley will step into the senior independent director position for the interim period.

Susan Barratt paid tribute to the outgoing chair: “Mark has built and led a high-quality board and advanced the strategic direction for the business. He leaves AG Barr in a strong position, and we wish him all the best for the future.”

The operational leadership team—comprising CEO Euan Sutherland, CFO Stuart Lorimer, and Corporate Finance Director Ewan Dytch—remains in place to drive the company’s day-to-day strategy.

AG Barr, which has reported growth across its soft drinks and functional beverage segments in recent years, is scheduled to provide a trading update for the year ended 31 January 2026 on 3 February, with final results to follow in March.