Smart science to improve lives™

Our leadership

Our Board is well equipped to provide oversight and challenge to the Executive Team, with the breadth of skills, experience and diversity to lead Croda in delivering our priorities.

Board of Directors

We have a Board that is well equipped to provide oversight and challenge to the Executive Team and has the breadth of skills, experience and diversity to lead Croda in delivering our ambitious strategic priorities that will deliver long-term growth.

We are making good progress on our gender balance targets with a continued increase in women in leadership positions and full gender parity on the Board since February 2022. 


  • Dame Anita Frew (DBE)

    Chair

    Appointment: appointed to the Board in March 2015, Chair since September 2015

  • Steve Foots

    Group Chief Executive

    Appointment: appointed to the Board in July 2010, Group Chief Executive since 2012

  • Jacqui Ferguson

    Jacqui Ferguson

    Senior Independent Non-Executive Director

    Appointment: appointed to the Board as Non-Executive Director in September 2018

  • John Ramsay, NED Croda

    John Ramsay

    Non-Executive Director

    Appointment: appointed to the Board as Non-Executive Director Board in January 2020

  • Julie Kim

    Non-Executive Director

    Appointment: appointed to the Board as Non-Executive Director in September 2021

  • Keith Layden Chief Technology Officer

    Keith Layden

    Non-Executive Director

    Appointment: appointed to the Board in 2012, Non-Executive Director since May 2017

  • Roberto Cirillo

    Roberto Cirillo

    Non-Executive Director

    Appointment: appointed to the Board as Non-Executive Director in April 2018

  • Tom Brophy

    Group General Counsel, Company Secretary and President Sustainability

    Appointment: appointed as Secretary to the Board in December 2012

  • Nawal Ouzren

    Non-Executive Director

    Appointment: appointed to the Board as Non-Executive Director in February 2022

  • Louisa Burdett

    Louisa Burdett

    Chief Financial Officer

    Appointment: appointed to the Executive Committee in January 2023

  • Chris Good

    Chris Good

    Non-Executive Director

    Appointment: appointed to the Board as Non-Executive Director in April 2023.

  • Danuta Gray

    Non-Executive Director and Chair designate

    Appointment: appointed to the Board in February 2024.

Executive Committee


Our Executive Committee bring depth and diverse experience. As a group, they are responsible for: developing and implementing strategy, operational plans, policies, procedures and budgets; monitoring operational and financial performance; assessing and controlling risk; and prioritising and allocating resources.


  • Steve Foots

    Group Chief Executive

    Appointment: appointed to the Board in July 2010, Group Chief Executive since 2012

  • Sandra Breene

    President Consumer Care

    Appointment: appointed to the Executive Committee in February 2012

  • Tom Brophy

    Group General Counsel, Company Secretary and President Sustainability

    Appointment: appointed as Secretary to the Board in December 2012

  • Anthony Fitzpatrick President Corporate Development

    Anthony Fitzpatrick

    President Corporate Development and Industrial Specialties

    Appointment: appointed to the Executive Committee in March 2014

  • Mark Robinson

    President Operations

    Appointment: appointed to the Executive Committee in September 2020

  • Daniele Piergentili

    Daniele Piergentili

    President Life Sciences

    Appointment: appointed to the Executive Committee in April 2021

  • Louisa Burdett

    Louisa Burdett

    Chief Financial Officer

    Appointment: appointed to the Executive Committee in January 2023

  • Michelle Lydon

    Michelle Lydon

    President Human Resources

    Appointment: appointed to the Executive Committee in January 2023

Further reading

Woman working with croda ingredients in lab

11th Most Sustainable International Company

We are celebrating being ranked the top of the chemicals sector for the sixth year running in Britain’s Most Admired Companies award

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Croda joins the World Business Council for Sustainable Development

Croda International Plc, the company that uses smart science to create high-performance ingredients and solutions that improve lives, has today joined over 200 of the world’s leading sustainable...

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Launch of first report on biotechnology opportunities in the personal care market

27 September 2022: The “Biotechnology: personal care market report” is the first in a series from Croda which aim to help other forward-thinking companies leverage the opportunities offered by...

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Sustainability expert Aris Vrettos joins Croda

The new position will see the sustainability expert challenge Croda to stretch its already industry-leading sustainability ambitions and commitments and support Croda’s business sectors in further...

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