A.G. Barr chair Mark Allen OBE steps down as Susan Barratt takes interim role
Mark Allen leaves A.G. Barr to focus on Hilton Food Group as the soft drinks group prepares to release its January 2026 trading update.
UK – A.G. Barr, the maker of IRN-BRU, Rubicon, Boost and FUNKIN, has confirmed that non-executive chair Mark Allen OBE has stepped down with immediate effect, as he moves to focus on his expanded role at Hilton Food Group.
The company said Allen is leaving after being appointed executive chair of Hilton Food Group following a period as non-executive chair.
During the transition at A.G. Barr, Susan Barratt, the group’s senior independent director, will serve as interim chair, while Louise Smalley, currently a non-executive director, will assume the role of senior independent director.
Allen, who chaired A.G. Barr for five years, reflected on his tenure, saying: “The business is in great shape and now is the right time to pass on the baton and focus on my other commitments.”
He highlighted progress made during his leadership, including brand portfolio innovation, value-accretive mergers and acquisitions, and strong shareholder returns.
Barratt said: “Mark has built and led a high-quality board and advanced the strategic direction for the business. He leaves A.G. Barr in a strong position, and we wish him all the best for the future.”
Allen previously served as chief executive of Dairy Crest Group from 2007 to 2019 and has held several non-executive roles, including at Halo Foods, Warburtons, Dairy UK, Howden Joinery Group and Norcros, where he was chair.
He was awarded an OBE in the 2019 New Year’s Honours list for services to the UK dairy sector. Allen became non-executive chair of Hilton Food Group on 1 January 2025 and moved to executive chair on 25 November 2025.
A.G. Barr said its executive leadership team, including CEO Euan Sutherland, CFO Stuart Lorimer and corporate finance director Ewan Dytch, will continue to manage operations as the board seeks a permanent successor.
The company also confirmed it will issue a trading update for the year ended 31 January 2026 on 3 February, ahead of publishing its full-year results in March.
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