A skilled and capable Board.

  • A External advisor updates
  • B Professional network
  • C Institute updates
  • D Investor forums
  • E Self-study
  • F Industry bodies
  • G Other Non-Executive roles
  • H Member of Institute of Directors
Philip-acton.jpg

Philip Acton

Non-Executive Chair
  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • F

Philip-acton.jpg

Philip Acton

Non-Executive Chair
  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • F

Appointed to the Board: August 2013

Joined the Board in 2013 and became Chair in 2017. Worked for 17 years in agriculture as chief operating officer for Genus Europe and Asia and group finance director of Genus plc. Prior to that spent ten years in the electrical engineering sector as group finance director of Scholes Group plc.

Key skills

  • Considerable board, leadership and strategy skills derived from Executive and Non-Executive roles.
  • Extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, operations and finance.
  • Broad sector experience in agriculture, warehousing, distribution, engineering and manufacturing.
  • Qualified Chartered Accountant with a degree in accounting and finance.

Committee membership

  • Audit
  • Remuneration
  • Disclosure
  • Nomination (Chair)

Other current appointments

N/A

Past appointments

  • Chief Operating Officer for Genus Europe and Asia.
  • Group finance director for Genus plc.
  • Group finance director for Scholes Group plc.
Chris-belsham.jpg

Chris Belsham

Chief Executive
  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D

Chris-belsham.jpg

Chris Belsham

Chief Executive
  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D

Appointed to the Board: April 2017

Joined as Group Finance Director in 2017. Previously an equity partner and head of corporate finance at Irwin Mitchell LLP having joined the business in 2014 from KPMG Corporate Finance. Qualified as a Chartered Accountant with PwC in 1999.

Key skills

  • Considerable strategic and leadership experience at both NWF and as Head of Corporate Finance and Equity Partner at Irwin Mitchell LLP.
  • Extensive mergers and acquisition, valuation and financing expertise across a range of sectors following 14 years as a corporate finance advisor with KPMG with a focus on listed clients.
  • Qualified Chartered Accountant and Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants for England and Wales, having qualified with PwC in 1999.

Committee membership

  • Disclosure (Chair)

Other current appointments

N/A

Past appointments

  • Equity Partner and Head of Corporate Finance at Irwin Mitchell LLP.
KS.jpg

Katie Shortland

Chief Financial Officer
  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D

KS.jpg

Katie Shortland

Chief Financial Officer
  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D

Appointed to the Board - October 2023 

Joined as Chief Financial Officer in 2023. Previously Finance and Transformation Director at Midland Expressway Limited and Director of Finance at Meggitt.  Katie qualified as an accountant in 2001 during her career with Rolls-Royce plc.

Key skills

  • An experienced finance and business leader with extensive experience working in infrastructure, engineering and manufacturing.
  • Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.

 

Richard-armitage.jpg

Richard Armitage

Senior Independent Non-Executive Director
  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E

Richard-armitage.jpg

Richard Armitage

Senior Independent Non-Executive Director
  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E

Appointed to the Board: July 2020

Joined the Board in July 2020. Currently chief financial officer at Victrex plc and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. Wide strategic and M&A experience in a number of senior finance roles.

Key skills

  • Extensive financial, strategic, mergers and acquisitions and governance experience, gained within a range of commercial organisations including consumer goods and distribution.
  • A board level executive in large complex organisations for the last 14 years.
  • Experience of investor relations and debt capital markets, with strong banking relationships.
  • Qualified Chartered Management Accountant.

Committee membership

  • Audit (Chair)
  • Remuneration (Interim Chair)
  • Nomination

Other current appointments

  • Chief Financial Officer at Morgan Advanced Materials plc.

Past appointments

  • Chief Financial Officer at Victrex plc.
Senior management team
Board responsibilities
Business model