EG Group has appointed Roland Smith as its new chairman, succeeding Lord Stuart Rose with immediate effect.
Rose, who has served as chair for five years, will remain on EG Group’s board as a non-executive director “to provide continued strategic counsel to the business”, the company said.
The move marks the latest senior leadership shift as EG Group continues reshaping its governance and sharpening its focus on growth markets – particularly the US, now its single largest market.
Russ Colaco, EG Group CEO, said Smith is “a highly respected and experienced executive with deep consumer industry and boardroom experience”, adding: “Attracting an industry leader of Roland’s calibre and expertise will strengthen our board as we execute on our growth strategy across convenience retail, foodservice and fuel offerings.”
Colaco also thanked Rose for his contribution as chair, stating: “I would like to thank Stuart for his significant contribution to EG Group over his five-year term as chairman, including putting in place the governance structures and strategic foundations for future success. We have all benefited from Stuart’s wisdom and counsel and look forward to that continuing in the future.”
Roland SmithPhoto: LinkedIn
Smith has more than 25 years’ experience as a senior executive across consumer businesses and has previously served as chairman and chief executive of Office Depot OfficeMax, Inc. His earlier roles include CEO positions at major food-to-go and leisure operators, including Wendy’s International and Arby’s Restaurant Group.
He currently serves as chairman of Jack’s Family Restaurants L.P., a chain of fast-food restaurants in the southern United States, and is a director of Tropical Smoothie Café, LLC.
Smith said: “EG Group is an outstanding business with promising growth prospects, and I am delighted to join its Board as Chairman. I look forward to working with the board, Russ and the wider management team on the company’s strategic vision and to further develop EG Group’s leading positions in its core markets in the United States and Europe.”
EG Group said Rose played an important role in key corporate activity during his tenure, including the sale of EG UK to Asda in 2023, as well as the business’ recent sale of EG Italy.
The group said the disposals form part of its strategy to focus on core growth markets globally and to deleverage its balance sheet.
It also credited Rose with overseeing a transformation in corporate governance, including updating its framework and systems and appointing independent non-executive directors to the board.
US focus reinforced by recent leadership changes
The chair transition follows a series of moves that have underlined EG Group’s increasing orientation towards its international estate.
In April 2025, EG Group announced an executive leadership transition plan in which co-founder Mohsin Issa said he would step down as CEOwhile retaining a substantial minority shareholding and remaining on the board as a non-executive director.
At the time, Russell Colaco – then group CFO – was appointed CEO.
The group’s UK exposure has also reduced significantly following the disposal of its EG UK business to Asda in 2023, and the completion of the sale of its remaining UK forecourt business and certain foodservice locations to co-founder Zuber Issa in November 2024.
EG Group, which began as a single site in 2001, has grown into an international operator of convenience retail, foodservice and fuel stations. The company employs around 38,000 colleagues across 5,500 sites in nine countries.