our group board
Sonya
Chairwoman
Sonya Eastaugh
Appointed to Group Board October 2016
Sonya joined the Group Board in October 2016 and is a sixth-generation family shareholder. She became our Chairwoman in October 2022.
She qualified as a veterinary surgeon in 2002 and before leaving the Northamptonshire surgery where she worked, she was a member of the management team and specialised in reptile work.
Sonya has recently completed an MBA.
James
CEO
James Watson
James was appointed Chief Executive in November 2019 following a year as Group Chief Operating Officer. Prior to this he was Managing Director of Aunt Bessie’s, a position he held for four years.
James joined us as Corporate Development Director for the Group in 2008. He also held the position of Managing Director of our bakery, Jacksons, for four years.
He previously worked for the Baxters Food Group and JP Morgan.
Monica
CFO
Monica Turner
Appointed to Group Board February 2020
Monica joined WJFG as Chief Financial Officer in February 2020.
Monica joined the Group from ASDA Stores Limited & Walmart Inc where she held a number of senior roles over 23 years. Her most recent position was Vice President Finance for Asda Stores Limited. Prior to this, Monica, who is also a trustee of the Royal Armouries, was Vice President Finance for Walmart.com and CFO for Jet.com.
Katie
Company Secretary
Katie Denyer
Appointed to Group Board in 2020
Katie joined the Group in 2009 as Group Finance Controller. She has since held various senior positions with us, including Finance Director at Jackson’s Bakery, Group Risk Assurance Director and is currently our Group Finance Director and Company Secretary. She joined the Group after working for Northern Foods and Ernst & Young.
Mark
Non-Exec Director
Mark Oughtred
Mark is a sixth-generation family member whose career to date has been in marketing and brand development within the fresh produce and horticultural industries for businesses including Total Produce, Agrico UK and the Horticultural Trades Association. He is also a Special Constable for Thames Valley Police.
Mark is passionate about employee well-being, upholding the values and company culture, and driving sustainability.
Roger
Non-Exec Director
Roger White
For the last 20 years, Roger has been CEO of soft drinks business AG Barr and is well versed in the UK FMCG market. Roger spent his early career in the bakery sector and also has acquisition and integration experience, which, alongside his FMCG acumen, brings valuable and relevant experience to the Group Board.
Andrea
Non-Exec Director
Andrea DAvis
Andrea Davis is a Managing Director with Investcorp International Ltd. She started out in a family business but more recently has worked in the merger and acquisition area specialising in business acquisition and integration. A financier by trade, Andrea is well versed in the digital world and brings valuable experience to the group.
Paddy
Non-Exec Director
Paddy Mountifield
Appointed to Group Board October 2022
Paddy is a sixth-generation family shareholder who has specialised in the agriculture and forestry sectors for almost 25 years.
He is Managing Director of a residential property business, and is married with three children.
This is his third term in office as a Non-Exec Director of our Group Board. He is also a Family Council member and is a dedicated member of the WJFG Charity Committee.
