Appointment of Non-Executive Chair

Press release date: 11th January 2023

Nichols plc, the diversified soft drinks Group, is pleased to announce the appointment of Elizabeth (Liz) McMeikan as the Company’s next Non-Executive Chair. Elizabeth will initially join the Group as a Non-Executive Director (NED) on 1st February 2023 before becoming Non-Executive Chair on 26th April 2023; that being the date of Nichols plc’s 2023 Annual General Meeting (AGM). As announced on 27 April 2022, John Nichols stated his intention to retire as Non-Executive Chairman once a suitable replacement had been identified and appointed. He will therefore step down from the role following the Group’s 2023 AGM.

Elizabeth brings a wealth of consumer-focused public and private company experience to the Board from a number of non-executive board roles, further to an executive career spent with Colgate Palmolive and Tesco.

Elizabeth’s current board positions include Senior Independent Director and Remuneration Committee Chair of Unite Group plc, NED and ESG Committee Chair of Dalata Hotel Group plc, Senior Independent Director and Remuneration Committee Chair of McBride plc, and Senior Independent NED of Custodian REIT plc. As was announced in December 2022, Elizabeth will step down from her position at Unite Group plc at the end of February 2023. Elizabeth previously held Senior Independent Director roles at FTSE 250 pub group JD Wetherspoon and Flybe, where she was also Remuneration Committee Chair.

Elizabeth will become a member of the Nomination, Remuneration and Audit Committees following her appointment to the Board, chairing the Nomination Committee.

The Group confirms that John Nichols will remain on the Board as a Non-Executive Director. John will take the second of the two Nichols family Board positions, sitting alongside fellow Non-Executive Director James Nichols, agreed as part of the Relationship Agreement signed in July 2020.

John Nichols, Non-Executive Chairman, commented:

“Following a thorough search process, in Liz the Nominations Committee have identified an outstanding candidate to take over as the Group’s next Chair. She has significant experience in consumer-facing businesses and public company boards, which I am very confident will be of great value to the Group. Liz will join the Board in February, enabling a smooth transition before taking over as Non-Executive Chair following the Group’s 2023 AGM.”

Elizabeth McMeikan, Non-Executive Chair-elect, commented:

“Nichols plc is an outstanding business with a proud history and exciting future prospects. I am both delighted and honoured to be given this opportunity to take over as the Company’s next Chair. I look forward to joining the Company and working closely with my new colleagues to contribute to the Group’s continued, sustainable success.”

The following disclosures are required regarding Elizabeth McMeikan’s appointment pursuant to Schedule Two paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules for Companies (“AIM Rules”):

Full name: Elizabeth McMeikan
Age: 60

Current directorships:
• The Unite Group plc
• Dalata Hotel Group plc
• McBride plc
• Custodian REIT plc
• Fresca Group Limited
• The Fresca ESOP Limited
• Second Growth CIC
• S.G. Property Investments Ltd.
• St. Rhadegund Properties Limited

Previous directorships/partnerships in the last 5 years:
• Custodian Real Estate (Drop) Limited
• Custodian Real Estate (Drop Holdings) Limited
• JD Wetherspoon plc
• Flybe Group Limited
• CH & Co Catering Group (Holdings) Limited