Soft drinks group Nichols plc has announced the appointment of Matthew Rothwell as chief financial officer and company secretary.
Rothwell will join the group, whose brands include Vimto, Levi Roots and SLUSH PUPPiE FIZZiE, no later than 13 April 2026.
Having held senior financial leadership roles across a number of UK-listed consumer-facing businesses, Rothwell brings extensive and highly relevant experience to Nichols.
After starting his career at Deloitte, he held various senior finance roles at Asda and Sainsbury's. Rothwell is currently deputy CFO at the global beauty, health and wellness consumer brands group THG plc, a role he has held for more than eight years.
He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, having qualified in 2002.
“I'm excited to be joining Nichols, a business with a proud heritage, iconic brands and a clear strategy for future growth,” Rothwell said. “I look forward to working with the Board and management team to build on this strong foundation and deliver sustainable performance and value for shareholders.”
David Taylor, interim finance director, will step down at the end of the month having held the role since February. To ensure continuity during the transition period, Rebecca Hughes, the group's financial controller, will support the board senior leadership team as a non-board finance director until Rothwell's arrival.
Nichols board said they are confident that his expertise and strategic insight will be instrumental in supporting the group's continued development and growth.
“Matthew's appointment reflects our commitment to attracting high-calibre leadership, and his experience and capabilities align very well with our strategic priorities,” Liz McMeikan, chair of Nichols plc, commented.
“On behalf of the board and everyone at Nichols, we thank David for his contribution and exceptional commitment during his interim tenure. We look forward to welcoming Matthew to Nichols and to benefitting from his experience. I have every confidence he will make a significant contribution to the group's continued growth.”