Simon Burke
Simon Burke
"Simon has served as a Non-executive Director of Bakkavor since February 2017 and was appointed as Chairman in October 2017. He is a chartered accountant with over 30 years’ experience in the retail and food sectors. Following a decade in financial and advisory roles, he was appointed CEO of Virgin Retail UK in 1988, and following a turnaround of that business, held increasingly senior roles until appointed CEO of the global Virgin Entertainment Group in 1996. In 1999, Simon was appointed Chairman and Chief Executive of Hamleys plc where he completed a successful restructuring and subsequent sale of the company in 2003. Simon then specialised in value creation roles in both quoted companies and private equity backed businesses. He has chaired many well-known consumer businesses, including Majestic Wine, Mitchells & Butlers, Bathstore.com, and Superquinn. He is currently a Non-executive Director of the Co-operative Group Limited and Chairman of The Light Cinemas (Holdings) Limited and Blue Diamond Limited."[1]
"A specialist in retail turnarounds, he has a financial background and has acted as Chairman or CEO of several well-known retailers, including Virgin, Our Price and Hamleys. Currently Chairman of Irish supermarket business Superquinn, and Majestic Wine PLC." [2]
- Trustee, National Gallery of Great Britain
- Former Director, BBC (Term of appointment: 3 April 2017 - 2 July 2019) [1]
