Ocado Group plc has just announced that Julie Southern will join the Board with effect from 1 September 2018.
Julie Southern, previously a finance director at Virgin Atlantic and at Porsche Cars Great Britain, has been appointed as an Independent Non-Executive Director and will serve as a member of the Audit Committee. With effect from 1 April 2019, she will become Chairman of the Audit Committee as successor to Ruth Anderson. She will also be a member of the Nomination Committee.
Aside from Southern's extensive executive experience, she has chaired audit committees at various FTSE listed companies with operations both in the UK and internationally. She is also an experienced remuneration committee chairman.
Lord Rose, Chairman of Ocado, said, 'I am delighted to welcome Julie to our Board. Her wide range of financial and commercial experience working with international businesses will strengthen our team as we grow the Ocado Solutions business outside the UK.'
Southern said, 'I am joining the Ocado Board at a very exciting time in its history and, indeed, in the development of the grocery retail industry globally. Ocado is a much-loved and iconic British retail brand but also a technology innovator. I look forward to bringing my experience to the Ocado Board as the Group prepares for its next stage of growth.'