A.G. Barr has confirmed that Mark Allen has stepped down as non-executive chair and director with immediate effect, as the business begins an independent process to appoint a new chair.
The maker of brands including IRN-BRU, Rubicon, Boost and FUNKIN said Allen is leaving the role to focus on his recently extended position at Hilton Food Group, where he has moved from non-executive chair to executive chair.
Susan Barratt, A.G. Barr’s senior independent director, will act as interim chair until a successor is appointed. The company added that Louise Smalley, currently a non-executive director, will take on the role of senior independent director during the interim period.
Allen, who has chaired the business for the past five years, said it had been “an enormous privilege” to lead the board as A.G. Barr strengthened and innovated its portfolio, carried out “value-creating M&A”, and delivered shareholder value.
“The business is in great shape and now is the right time to pass on the baton and focus on my other commitments,” he said.
Barratt praised Allen’s contribution, saying he had “built and led a high-quality board and advanced the strategic direction for the business”.
“He leaves AG Barr in a strong position, and we wish him all the best for the future,” she added.
The company said it will provide a trading update for the financial year ended 31 January 2026 on 3 February 2026, ahead of announcing final results in March 2026.
Hilton Foods, where Allen has taken on an executive chair role, is an international multi-protein producer supplying meat, seafood and plant-based products, with more than 7,000 employees across 10 countries.
Allen was previously CEO at Dairy Crest Group from 2007 to 2019 and has held non-executive director roles 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's dairy sector and became non-executive chair of the Hilton Foods Board on the 1 January 2025, and executive chair from the 25 November 2025.