Our leadership

Anita has served on Plc boards in the chemical, resources, engineering, water and financial services industries for over 20 years. Prior to joining Croda, she was Chair of Victrex Plc and Senior Independent Director of Aberdeen Asset Management Plc, IMI Plc and was Deputy Chair of Lloyds Banking Group Plc. During her time as a Director, she has chaired main Boards, Remuneration, Responsible Business and Risk Committees. Anita brings extensive experience as Chair to the Croda Board as well as leadership in strategic management, mergers and acquisitions and risk experience from working internationally across many sectors.

In January 2023, Anita was appointed as a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in recognition of her services to business and the economy.

External appointments:  Chair of Rolls-Royce Holdings plc

Committee membership: Chair of the Nomination Committee

View Anita's letter of appointment here.

Steve joined Croda as a graduate trainee in 1990 and has held a number of senior management positions, enabling him to bring a business, strategic and operational background to the Croda Board. In July 2010, Steve became President of Croda Europe. Having spent several years leading different Croda businesses, he has extensive insight into the markets we serve, the importance of customer focus and innovation, and the power of a values-led culture.

External appointments: Industry co-Chair of the Chemistry Council

Committee membership: Chair of Executive and Finance Committees, member of Group SHEQ Committee

Jez has extensive experience in financial management, acquisitions and disposals, and a wealth of experience in speciality chemicals. As a chartered management accountant his expertise in all aspects of finance management gained in speciality chemical, FMCG and other manufacturing environments allows him to support Croda in managing performance of the capital allocation and investment evaluation. Jez was Group Finance Director at National Express Group Plc from 2008 to 2014. Prior to that, he was Group Finance Director at Northern Foods Plc and has been Chief Financial Officer at British Vita Plc and Group Finance Director at Hickson International Plc. Former Chairman of the Audit Committee and Senior Independent Director of Synthomer Plc and former Non-Executive Director and Audit and Risk Committee chairman of PZ Cussons Plc, Jez is a fellow of the CIMA.

External appointments:  Non-executive Director of the Centre for Process Innovation Ltd which supports the development of next-generation manufacturing in the UK and Non-executive Director for Intertek Group plc a leading Total Quality Assurance provider to industries worldwide.

Committee membership:  member of the Executive and Finance Committees,  and Chair of the Risk and IT Steering Committees and Digital Advisory Group

Helena has a wealth of experience in consumer marketing and innovative product development having worked for Unilever for 23 years and holding senior positions in brand management, consumer marketing and strategy development. She also has eight years’ experience as a strategic consultant for multinational businesses. Helena’s academic roots are in engineering, with a PhD from the University of Cambridge driving a passion for product and process innovation.

External appointments: Helena is a Non-Executive Director and Remuneration Committee Chair of Greggs Plc; she also runs a consulting business helping organisations to develop and implement their strategies

Committee membership:  Member of Audit, Remuneration and Nomination Committees

Jacqui is an experienced CEO from the technology industry with general management and M&A experience in international and emerging markets. She has first-hand insight of transformational/disruptive digital, cyber security, technology and business process solutions. Jacqui is the former CEO of Hewlett Packard Enterprise Services UK, Ireland, Middle East Mediterranean and Africa. She was also Chief of Staff at Hewlett Packard working with the Chairman and CEO focused on a new company strategy and turnaround, and chaired the public services strategy board for the CBI.  Jacqui has also worked for Electronic Data Systems, acquired by HP in 2008, and KPMG.

External appointments: Non-Executive Director of John Wood Group Plc and Non-Executive Director of Tesco Bank; Trustee of Engineering UK; member of the Scottish First Ministers Advisory Board for Women and Girls; member of the Advisory Board of Engie UK

Committee membership: Chair of the Remuneration Committee, member of Audit and Nomination Committees

View Jacqui's letter of appointment here.

A chartered accountant, John has more than 30 years’ international finance experience with Life Sciences businesses including ICI, AstraZeneca and Syngenta. He was Non-Executive Director and Audit Chair of G4S plc until April 2021. He also brings skills and knowledge in emerging markets gained through a decade living and working in Asia and his work in Latin America. John has a keen interest in continuing to build Croda’s strong culture to deliver superior business performance. His extensive experience as an Audit Committee Chair complements and enhances existing Board expertise.

External appointments: member of the Supervisory Board at Koninklijke DSM N.V.,  Non-Executive Director of Babcock International Group PLC and Non-Executive Director of RHI Magnesita N.V.; Audit Committee Chair at each of these companies.

Committee membership: Chair of the Audit Committee, member of Nomination and Remuneration Committees

View John's letter of appointment here.

Julie has nearly 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry, with more than 15 years in international leadership positions. She is currently President US Business Unit and US Country Head at Takeda Pharmaceutical, a global, values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical leader headquartered in Japan, having previously held the position of President, Plasma-Derived Therapies at Takeda. She brings extensive experience from both global and regional roles in Europe, Asia and Latin America. Her previous executive positions include Head of International Market Access and Global Franchise Head of multiple therapeutic areas at Shire, Baxalta and Baxter. Experience in P&L, commercial, R&D and manufacturing mean she is ideally placed to help deliver Croda’s ambition in the fast-growing markets of drug, vaccine and crop delivery systems.

External appointments: President, Plasma-Derived Therapies at Takeda Pharmaceutical. Julie also sits on the industry board for the Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association.

Committee membership: member of Audit, Remuneration and Nomination Committees

View Julie's letter of appointment here.

With a deep understanding of chemical innovation and broad operational and management experience, Keith joined Croda in 1984 and was appointed to the Board as Chief Technology Officer in 2012. Until January 2016 he was responsible for the Technology Investment Group. Until his retirement from Croda in April 2017, Keith was responsible for global R&D and was President Life Sciences.

External appointments: Honorary Professor of Chemistry and Industry at the University of Nottingham where he is also Chairman of the Strategic Advisory Board for chemistry; at the University of Sheffield he is a member of Council, a Representative of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, Health and Safety Committee and Alumni Board; Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and member of its Industry and Technology Division Council

Committee membership: member of Nomination Committee

Roberto has 10 years’ experience as a country and group CEO in service and health care industries, and many years as a strategy practitioner in Europe and Asia. He brings a passion for growth and operations and can share lessons learned from large transformations and M&A. Roberto’s engineering background means he can link Croda’s R&D and production competence with the evolving demands of multifunctional markets. In April 2019, Roberto was appointed CEO of Swiss Post. Until February 2018 he was CEO of Optegra International Limited. Before that, he spent seven years at Sodexo in a variety of roles, including Group COO and Country CEO of its French business. Roberto has also been a consultant for McKinsey & Company.

External appointments: CEO of Swiss Post, national postal service of Switzerland

Committee membership: member of Audit, Remuneration and Nomination Committees

View Roberto's letter of appointment here.

Tom is an experienced corporate lawyer, having worked at City law firm Hogan Lovells and FTSE 100 company Ferguson. His expertise in public and private acquisitions supports Croda’s growth plans and his professional background and breadth of experience in insurance, risk and compliance enable him to Chair the Ethics Committee. Tom also provides corporate governance know-how. Prior to joining Croda, he spent seven years at Wolseley Plc in legal and governance roles, including Deputy General Counsel and Company Secretary.

Committee membership: Secretary to the Audit, Remuneration and Nomination Committees, Chairman of the Ethics Committee, member of Executive and Risk Committees

Nawal has 20 years of expertise across a wide range of business roles, including clinical development, operational and strategic management roles within the pharmaceutical industry.  Nawal currently serves as CEO at Sensorion, a Euronext listed biopharmaceutical company headquartered in France. 

A chemical engineer by training, Nawal started her career at GE in operations management, manufacturing and quality and then held executive roles at Baxter International, Baxalta and Shire before joining Sensorion in 2017. 

Nawal brings with her first-hand experience in biologics and novel gene therapies and up until March 2022 was a non-executive director of Arena Pharmaceuticals, the US headquartered biopharmaceutical company. 

Committee membership: member of Audit, Remuneration and Nomination Committees

View Nawal's letter of appointment here.

Louisa is an experienced Finance Director who has held senior financial positions in industrial, manufacturing, publishing and pharmaceutical companies. She brings financial, commercial, M&A and risk management experience to the Croda Board. Louisa was previously Chief Financial Officer of Meggitt plc and before that Chief Financial Officer of Victrex plc. 

External appointments: Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit Committee of RS Group plc, a global distributor of industrial and electronic products. 

Committee membership: Member of the Executive, Finance and Risk Management Committees

Steve joined Croda as a graduate trainee in 1990 and has held a number of senior management positions, enabling him to bring a business, strategic and operational background to the Croda Board. In July 2010, Steve became President of Croda Europe. Having spent several years leading different Croda businesses, he has extensive insight into the markets we serve, the importance of customer focus and innovation, and the power of a values-led culture.

External appointments: Industry co-Chair of the Chemistry Council

Committee membership: Chair of Executive and Finance Committees, member of Group SHEQ Committee

Sandra is a well-developed leader with an extensive understanding of customer needs and ability to speak their language. This was gained through a technical background and more than 30 years’ experience working across all of Croda’s market sectors, having joined as a graduate trainee. With a strong commercial acumen applied during a number of acquisitions, Sandra brings insight into emerging markets and cultural differences having lived in Asia and leading regional sales and marketing teams. She has a passion for building an engaging and inclusive culture, a strong understanding of business process and how to drive productivity and efficiency.

Committee membership: member of the Executive, Finance, Sustainability, Grading and Group SHEQ Committees and Digital Advisory Group

Jez has extensive experience in financial management, acquisitions and disposals, and a wealth of experience in speciality chemicals. As a chartered management accountant his expertise in all aspects of finance management gained in speciality chemical, FMCG and other manufacturing environments allows him to support Croda in managing performance of the capital allocation and investment evaluation. Jez was Group Finance Director at National Express Group Plc from 2008 to 2014. Prior to that, he was Group Finance Director at Northern Foods Plc and has been Chief Financial Officer at British Vita Plc and Group Finance Director at Hickson International Plc. Former Chairman of the Audit Committee and Senior Independent Director of Synthomer Plc and former Non-Executive Director and Audit and Risk Committee chairman of PZ Cussons Plc, Jez is a fellow of the CIMA.

External appointments:  Non-executive Director of the Centre for Process Innovation Ltd which supports the development of next-generation manufacturing in the UK and Non-executive Director for Intertek Group plc a leading Total Quality Assurance provider to industries worldwide.

Committee membership:  member of the Executive and Finance Committees,  and Chair of the Risk and IT Steering Committees and Digital Advisory Group

Tracy has extensive international HR experience in a variety of generalist and organisation development roles mostly within the chemical and manufacturing sectors. Prior to joining Croda, she was Group HR Development Director and Executive Committee Member with Fenner Plc having previously worked for Scapa Plc, BAE Systems, ConvaTec and Monsanto. Tracy is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

Committee membership: member of the Executive, Risk, and Sustainability Committees and Chair of the Grading Committee.

Tom is an experienced corporate lawyer, having worked at City law firm Hogan Lovells and FTSE 100 company Ferguson. His expertise in public and private acquisitions supports Croda’s growth plans and his professional background and breadth of experience in insurance, risk and compliance enable him to Chair the Ethics Committee. Tom also provides corporate governance know-how. Prior to joining Croda, he spent seven years at Wolseley Plc in legal and governance roles, including Deputy General Counsel and Company Secretary.

Committee membership: Secretary to the Audit, Remuneration and Nomination Committees, Chairman of the Ethics Committee, member of Executive and Risk Committees

With more than 23 years in global investment banking in New York and London, primarily focusing on the chemicals industry following a degree in Chemistry, Anthony has extensive insight and transactional experience in strategic mergers and acquisitions and associated financings. With strong business and leadership skills, he previously worked at Goldman Sachs and UBS, where he was Global Head of Chemicals. Anthony has global responsibility for Croda’s Corporate Development activities. He was previously Regional President for Latin America and President of Performance Technologies & Industrial Chemicals. 

Committee membership: member of the Executive, Ethics, Grading and Group SHEQ Committees

Mark has wide operations experience at Croda, joining in 1994 as a graduate Chemical Engineer. He also has extensive managerial and leadership skills gained from being Site Director of two sites, leading European Operational teams and as Global Operations President. Mark has been responsible for the successful execution of investment and change programmes in the European region and globally.

Committee membership: member of the Executive, Finance, Sustainability, Grading and IT Steering Committees, Chair of the Group SHEQ Committee, member of the Digital Advisory Group

With strong strategic leadership skills, Nick has applied his business and operational expertise in senior management positions, gaining experience in R&D, technical, marketing, sales and general business management. He also developed international expertise from working in the emerging markets of Latin America and Asia Pacific, where he led all of Croda’s operations. Previously President Life Sciences, Nick was appointed Group Chief Scientific Officer in September 2020. He joined Croda as a graduate trainee in 1993.

Committee membership: member of the Executive, Risk, Ethics, Finance, Sustainability Committees and the Digital Advisory Group

David was appointed President - Consumer Care in May 2021. He joined Croda in 1997 via the graduate scheme and relocated to the USA in 2006 before taking on responsibility for Consumer Care in North America in 2011. His first global role was as Managing Director of the Crop Care business which he ran for three years before becoming Senior Vice President of North America in 2017. 

Committee membership: member of the Executive, Risk, and Grading Committees and Digital Advisory Group

President of Croda’s Life Sciences sector, Daniele is an Italian national with extensive international experience, having worked in the US, UK, Switzerland and Germany. He spent 20 years working for BASF, principally in its pharmaceutical business, where he was responsible for manufacturing and commercial operations, supplying drug delivery platforms such as biologics excipients and adjuvants, and custom synthesis services to the global pharmaceutical industry.

Committee membership: member of the Executive and Group SHEQ Committees and the Digital Advisory Group

Louisa is an experienced Finance Director who has held senior financial positions in industrial, manufacturing, publishing and pharmaceutical companies. She brings financial, commercial, M&A and risk management experience to the Croda Board. Louisa was previously Chief Financial Officer of Meggitt plc and before that Chief Financial Officer of Victrex plc. 

External appointments: Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit Committee of RS Group plc, a global distributor of industrial and electronic products. 

Committee membership: Member of the Executive, Finance and Risk Management Committees

Michelle is an experienced HR leader with wide-ranging experience as a Human Resources Director gained at listed, global companies including most recently as Chief People Officer for British Airways and before that QinetiQ.  Michelle has a Masters in HR Management and was a trustee at a leading charity for community integration. 

Committee membership: Member of the Executive, Risk and Sustainability Committees and Chair of the Grading Committee.