IG Design appoints Stewart Gilliland as new chair

Stationery and giftware designer IG Design Group announced the appointments of Stewart Gilliland and Clare Askem to its board on Monday, as non-executive chairman designate and non-executive director respectively, effective immediately.

The AIM-traded firm said Gilliland would take on the role of chairman from John Charlton who, as it had previously announced, would step down and retire at the annual general meeting to be held in September.

That would allow “adequate time” for an effective handover, the board said.

It said Gilliland had a “wealth of experience” in senior and board roles at fast-moving consumer goods businesses, both listed and private.

He was currently chair of C&C Group plc, as well as a non-executive director at Chapel Down Group, Tesco and Natures Way Foods.

Previously, he had held non-executive positions at Mitchells & Butlers, Booker Group, Sutton & East Surrey Water and Vianet.

Those directorships followed a “long and successful” executive career in consumer-facing companies, where Gilliland had established a “strong” track record in supporting businesses to achieve their growth ambitions, and encouraging engagement with stakeholders.

“We are delighted to be appointing Stewart as our chairman designate,” said chief executive officer Paul Fineman.

“Not only does he have FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 experience, and a deep knowledge of the consumer industry, he also has great ambitions for the business, which we know will help us make a reality.”

Fineman said management was “looking forward” to benefiting from Gillilland’s strength in embedding best practice governance, increasing shareholder engagement and investing in people.

“We are confident Stewart is ideally suited to chair the group going forward, and are excited to see what we will achieve as we move into our next stage of growth.”

At 0841 BST, shares in IG Design Group were down 1.29% at 538.95p.