Coats Group plc (LON:COA), the world’s leading industrial thread manufacturer, has announced that Sarah Highfield will join the Board as a Non-Executive Director, effective 1 November 2023. In addition, she will join the Audit and Risk Committee, as Chair Designate, and the Nomination Committee. Subject to shareholder approval of her nomination to the Board, Sarah will succeed Nicholas Bull as Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee following the 2024 Annual General Meeting of the Company expected to be held on 22 May 2024.
Sarah was most recently Chief Executive Officer of Elvie, the female technology firm, having previously served as Chief Operating Officer & Chief Financial Officer and Deputy Chief Executive Officer. Sarah was also a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit Committee at Seraphine Group plc, which was listed on the main market from 2021 to 2023.
Prior to joining Elvie, Sarah was Group Chief Financial Officer at Costa Coffee for over five years, including during the c£3.9bn sale to The Coca-Cola Company. She was also Chief Financial Officer of Tesco’s Hungary and Slovakia businesses.
Sarah has significant experience of driving growth globally, including in the US and China.
David Gosnell OBE, Chair of Coats Group said ‘I am delighted that Sarah will be joining the Board. Her strong financial background and strategic expertise in diverse sectors and geographies will bring valuable insights to Coats. I look forward to working with Sarah’.
