Fmcg veteran and Nichols CFO Richard Newman has died after facing cancer “with stoicism and grace”.
Newman passed away at home on 15 March, surrounded by his family.
His career in fmcg spanned three decades. After showing entrepreneurial prowess from a young age (he set up his own car-washing business at the age of 10 to earn enough money to buy a bike), Newman qualified as an accountant with PwC in Birmingham.
He didn’t enjoy auditing, however, so he joined Cadbury as financial controller in 1996, working from the Bournville factory.
Newman spent almost 15 years at Cadbury, moving across various commercial and financial roles, which took him to Australia and Ireland, before returning to the UK as Cadbury group financial controller in 2009.
Following a stint at National Express, Newman joined packaging company DS Smith in 2015, where he spent six years, culminating as regional finance director for north Europe.
He became CFO for tissue converter Accrol in 2021 and joined Nichols as CFO and company secretary in February 2024.
Newman’s dedication, leadership, and contributions to Nichols over the past 12 months had been “invaluable, and he will be deeply missed by everyone who had the privilege of working with him”, the company said.
“The board’s thoughts and sympathies are with Richard’s wife, Lynne, and their three sons during this incredibly difficult time.”
David Taylor will continue in his role as non-board finance director to ensure continuity and Prism Cosec will provide support in the role of company secretary while the board considers permanent succession arrangements.
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