Allan Leighton

Allan started his career in Mars Confectionery as a Salesman in 1974. He went on to join Pedigree Petfoods as Sales Director, Asda as Group Marketing Director and then Chief Executive. Following the sale of Asda to Wal-Mart, Allan was appointed the President and CEO of Wal-Mart Europe.

In November 2000 he left Asda Wal-Mart and developed a new work ethic – ‘Going Plural’ – as he took on non-executive director and non-executive chairman positions in a number of companies including Lastminute.com, Scottish Power, Dyson Ltd, Cannons Group Ltd, Bhs Ltd, BSkyB Group plc, Selfridges & Co, PACE plc and the shoe retailer Office.

Allan joined the Royal Mail as company Chairman in 2002. He was President of Loblaw Companies ltd from April 2008 and was Deputy Chairman at George Weston Ltd (Holding company of Loblaw) from 2000.

In August 2010, Allan was appointed Chairman of the Danish jewellery company Pandora and took over as Chief Executive in July 2013. In 2014 he was appointed Chairman of Entertainment One Ltd and in February 2015 Allan took on the role as the first independent non-executive Chairman of the Co-operative Group, Allan’s appointment marks a key point in the turnaround strategy of the group.

As well as his position at the Co-operative Group Allan is currently, Chairman of Element Materials Technology, Chairman of Allbright, Chairman of Northern Bloc, NE Chairman of Simba Sleep, Chairman of Brewdog, and in September 2019 was appointed Chairman of the leading global fashion retail business C & A AG, and November 2020 was appointed Chairman of Pizza Express.

Allan has also been the Chairman at Race for Opportunity and Business in the community, as well as Business Ambassador for HRH the Prince of Wales.

He has an Honorary Degree from Cranfield University, an Honorary Fellowship from the University of Lancashire in recognition of his outstanding achievements in Business, Doctor of Letters from York St John University, as well as attending the Advanced Management Programme (AMP) at Harvard University.

Allan is also Vice Patron of Breast Cancer Care.