C&C Group names drinks industry veteran chief executive

Magners owner C&C Group said on Thursday that it has appointed the former head of AG Barr chief executive.

Roger White, who will take up the role on 20 January, was head of the FTSE 250 owner of Irn Bru for over two decades before leaving in May 2024. Prior to joining AG Barr, he spent 15 years at Rank Hovis McDougall Group.

He replaces former incumbent Patrick McMahon, who quit in June after just a year in the role as it emerged a number of accounting mistakes and "errors of judgement" had been made while he was chief financial officer.

The London-listed firm - which also owns Bulmers and Tennent’s, among others - registered €17m in retrospective charges as a result. It also flagged a €12m expense for the previous financial year relating to "onerous apple contracts".

Chair Ralph Findlay, who stepped in as interim chief executive following McMahon’s departure, said on Thursday that White was an "acknowledged, high-calibre leader".

He continued: "He will bring an exceptional combination of extensive brand drinks sector expertise, understanding of our markets and a proven track record."

White, who is also a non-executive director at Warburtons, said: "It is an exciting time to be joining the business. C&C has a unique business model, great brands and a committed team, with the potential to create significant long-term value."

Findlay - who has been with C&C since 2022, having spent the bulk of his career running pubs group Marston’s - will resume the role of non-executive chair after White joins, following a short transition period.