Leadership Change at BLG: Jonathan Lewis steps up to become Group Managing Director

Jonathan Lewis stepped up from his role as Bibby Line Group Chief Financial and Strategy Officer to become Group Managing Director on January 1st, following the decision by outgoing CEO John Cresswell to step down.

Following the agreed sales of Bibby Distribution and Costcutter in December – which completed the planned strategic realignment of our portfolio – Jonathan is now in position to lead the Group through it’s next chapter with a revised portfolio, focused on supporting and growing BFS, Bibby Marine and Garic.

Jonathan – who joined the Group in July 2019, having served as CFO at Imagination Technologies and with a career spanning roles with Tesco, Lazard and McKinsey – will report directly into the BLG Board.

Jonathan said:

“I am delighted to have been offered the opportunity to lead Bibby Line Group, and look forward to continuing to work together with the Board, and colleagues across the Group, to deliver our strategy. I would like to thank John for the leadership he has shown and the culture he has embedded, providing a strong platform on which we can take the Group forward.  The Group has shown its resilience as we trade through the pandemic, and I see a bright future ahead.”

Sir Michael Bibby, BLG Chairman said:

“On behalf of the Board I’d like to congratulate Jonathan on his appointment to the newly created role of Group Managing Director and look forward to working closely with him in this new capacity.

“I’d also like to thank John for leading the Group through the last two and a half years in the most challenging of circumstances, whilst always role modelling our values. The Group has worked its way through the challenges of the last few years and emerges as a stronger business, well positioned for the future as the economy recovers.”

John said:

“With business performance improving and a strengthening balance sheet, the Group portfolio is now well positioned to deliver future shareholder value. Therefore I believe now is the right time for the company and for me personally to hand over to Jonathan to lead the Group through its next chapter.”

Changes to subsidiary Boards

The change in leadership has also led to changes in each of our subsidiary Boards. Jonathan will now chair Garic along with Costcutter Supermarkets Group (until they leave the Group), and Sir Michael Bibby will chair Bibby Financial Services and Bibby Marine for an initial period, while he gets back up to speed with the businesses. Geoffrey Bibby will join BFS, Garic and Bibby Marine Boards to further strengthen the family’s links with the businesses.