Our Board
Our Board of Directors consists of two executive directors who are responsible for implementing strategy, identifying objectives and managing the day-to-day operations of the business. We also have four Non-Executive Directors who provide advice and guidance to the business.
Liz McMeikan
Non-Executive Chair
Liz has been a non-executive director in a wide variety of customer facing businesses for the past twenty years. She has extensive experience working with plc boards and with family and privately owned businesses, holding Remuneration Committee Chair, ESG Committee Chair and Senior Independent Director positions. Her executive career was spent initially within marketing and sales for Colgate Palmolive and subsequently with Tesco, covering a wide spectrum of commercial roles both nationally and internationally. Liz is married to Gerard and has three grown up children. She loves to travel, walk and enjoy good food and is passionate about theatre, film and Suffolk, where she spends her spare time.
Liz McMeikan
Non-Executive Chair
Andrew Milne
Chief Executive Officer
Andrew joined Nichols as the Commercial Director in July 2013 and was appointed to the plc Board in January 2016. Andrew has extensive experience in the soft drinks industry having previously worked as Sales Director for the Northern region at Coca Cola Enterprises and prior to that, as Trading Director at GlaxoSmithKline. He is Vice-President of the British Soft Drinks Association, and NED at Ultimate Products plc. Andrew is married to Debbie and they have two children. Andrew is a keen Manchester United fan and enjoys both watching or playing sport.
Andrew Milne
Chief Executive Officer
Matthew Rothwell
Chief Financial Officer
Matthew joined Nichols as Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary in 2026. He has more than 25 years’ experience in senior finance leadership roles across UK-listed consumer and retail businesses, supporting growth, transformation and strategic development. Matthew began his career at Deloitte before holding a number of senior finance roles at Asda and J Sainsbury plc across both commercial and group finance. Prior to joining Nichols, he spent over eight years at THG plc, as Deputy Chief Financial Officer, where he played a central role in the Group’s IPO, refinancing activity, M&A, divisional separation and finance transformation programmes. Matthew is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, having qualified in 2002. Matthew and his partner Karen have three children, Alistair, Anya and Charlotte, who keep him busy outside work. He enjoys coaching their football teams and, when time allows, football, the gym and skiing.
Matthew Rothwell
Chief Financial Officer
John Nichols
Family Representative Director
John is the grandson of the founder of the Company and inventor of Vimto, John Noel Nichols. John joined Nichols plc in 1971 and was appointed as Director in 1975. In 1986 John became the Group Managing Director, subsequently he became Executive Chairman of the Group and in 2007 he moved to Non-Executive Chairman. John retired as Chairman in 2023, but continues to serve on the Board as a Non-Executive Director. John has three grown up children and three grandchildren. John enjoys spending time with his family and using his spare time sailing, playing golf and walking his dog on the beach in Wales.
John Nichols
Family Representative Director
Matt Nichols
Family Representative Director
Matthew is John’s son and joined the Company in September 2006. He is currently Commercial Director – International within the Group’s Packaged business and is a member of the Company’s Senior Leadership Team. He has managed many of the different countries and regions across Africa and the Middle East holding several senior roles during his time with the Group. Matthew is married to Gemma and they have two young children, Seren and Benjamin, who take up a lot of his time outside work. During any other free time Matthew enjoys winter sports (skiing and snowboarding) and water sports (wakeboarding, waterskiing and swimming) as well as running.
Matt Nichols
Family Representative Director
Alan Williams
Independent Non-Executive Director
Alan is an experienced UK public company director. His executive career was spent in a variety of finance and strategy roles, most recently as CFO of the building materials distributor, Travis Perkins plc. Alan spent 25 years in the FMCG sector, serving for 6 years as the CFO of Greencore Group plc and having undertaken a broad variety of roles in Cadbury plc both in the UK and internationally and across both confectionery and beverages businesses.
Alan Williams
Independent Non-Executive Director
Laura Padfield
Independent Non-Executive Director
Laura was appointed to the Board of Nichols as an Independent Non-Executive Director in September 2026 and is a member of the Remuneration Committee (which she chairs) as well as the Audit and Nomination Committees. Laura is Chief Executive Officer of IVC Evidensia Ireland, part of one of the world’s leading veterinary care providers operating across Europe and North America. She brings extensive leadership experience from consumer-facing businesses, with a strong track record in growth, transformation and operational excellence. Before joining IVC Evidensia, Laura held senior roles at Marks & Spencer and Tesco, where she developed expertise in strategy, customer experience, organisational development, supply chain and international operations. Laura lives on a dairy farm in Bath with her husband and four children. Life is busy, fun and full of children's sports fixtures.
Laura Padfield
Independent Non-Executive Director