Greggs plc has revealed plans for a scheduled change at the top of its finance function, confirming that Chief Financial Officer Richard Hutton will retire after a 28-year tenure with the company, which included 20 years as a board member.
Ben Waldron has been named as Hutton's successor. He is due to join Greggs as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director on October 27, 2026, initially carrying the title Chief Financial Officer-designate. Waldron will assume full Chief Financial Officer responsibilities from January 1, 2027. Hutton will continue in the CFO role until December 31, 2026 to complete the handover period.
Waldron's career prior to this appointment includes more than 14 years at Bakkavor Group plc, where he occupied a number of senior roles. His positions at Bakkavor included Chief Financial Officer, Group Strategy Director, Chief Executive Officer of Bakkavor Asia, and Chief Executive Officer of Bakkavor USA. After leaving Bakkavor he has been providing advisory services in Australia. Before his time at Bakkavor, Waldron spent 12 years at Ernst & Young, serving as an Audit, Advisory and Transaction Director.
Greggs' Chair, Matt Davies, commented on the appointment, saying that Waldron's combination of financial and commercial expertise and operational leadership in international food manufacturing will be valuable to the company. Davies also expressed gratitude to Hutton for his service since joining the board in 2006 and for playing a central role in the group's development during a period of significant growth.
Chief Executive Officer Roisin Currie described Hutton as a trusted colleague and praised his outstanding contribution to Greggs. Currie added that she looks forward to working with Waldron as the company advances its strategic plans.
Waldron said he was pleased to be joining Greggs and looks forward to collaborating with the company's leadership team to support its next phase of development.
Context and timeline
The transition has clearly defined milestones: Waldron's arrival as CFO-designate on October 27, 2026, Hutton's departure from the CFO role on December 31, 2026, and Waldron's commencement of full CFO duties on January 1, 2027.
What the announcement covers
- Confirmation of Hutton's retirement after 28 years with Greggs, including 20 years on the Board.
- Appointment of Ben Waldron as CFO-designate on October 27, 2026 and as full CFO from January 1, 2027.
- Details of Waldron's prior senior roles at Bakkavor and earlier career at Ernst & Young, and his recent advisory work in Australia.
- Statements from the Chair and CEO acknowledging Hutton's contribution and welcoming Waldron.