North Shields-based “delivered wholesale” business Kitwave Group plc has announced the appointment of Marnie Millard to its board as non-executive chair.

Millard was CEO of Vimto firm Nichols Plc for eight years.

“Marnie has replaced Steve Smith as Chair, who resigned as a director of the Company upon the appointment,” said Kitwave.

“Marnie currently serves as the Non-Executive Chair of Marks Electricals Plc, University Academy 92 Limited and MyPura.Com Limited.

“She also joined the board of Applied Nutrition plc ahead of its IPO last year and continues her role as a Senior Independent Director and Chair of the Remuneration Committee.

“She has acted as a board advisor for Belvoir Group and was on the board for Finsbury Food Group Plc as a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Remuneration Committee.

“Marnie was Chief Executive Officer of Nichols Plc, the diversified soft drinks group, for eight years. During her time as CEO, she delivered a strong track record of consistent growth, increasing the market capitalisation by 60% to £450 million.

“Under her leadership, Nichols Plc completed five acquisitions and doubled Vimto’s retail sales value to £110m.

“Before her role at Nichols Plc, Marnie held a series of other senior positions in the beverages industry, including Sales and Marketing Director at Macaw Limited, Commercial Director for Gerber Juice Company Limited and Managing Director for Refresco Beverages UK Limited.”

Kitwave CEO Ben Maxted said: “On behalf of everyone at Kitwave, I am delighted to welcome Marnie to the Board as our new Chair. We believe that her experience and expertise will be of huge value as we continue to drive our growth strategy and enhance our customer offering. We are all looking forward to working with Marnie and, together, delivering further value for the Group and its shareholders.

“We are also hugely thankful to our outgoing Chair, Steve Smith, for his unwavering commitment and support. Steve joined in 2016, playing an integral role in our corporate development, which later led to our IPO in 2021 and our subsequent expansion as a public company. We wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”