Allan Leighton

Allan Leighton is one of Britain’s most experienced and respected business leaders, recognised for his ability to transform organisations and guide them through periods of challenge and growth. Over the past four decades he has held senior roles at some of the UK’s best-known companies, from Marketing Director and Deputy Chief Executive at Asda to Chairman of Royal Mail, where he became the organisation’s longest-serving chair. More recently, Allan has led The Co-operative Group, Pandora, Pizza Express, BrewDog, and Simba Sleep, cementing his reputation as a trusted figure in boardrooms across multiple industries.

Allan’s career began modestly as a bank cashier before he joined Mars UK as a salesman in 1974. His talent for sales and marketing was quickly recognised, and he rose through the company to become General Sales Manager of the UK Grocery Division, then Managing Director of Mars in Ireland and Portugal. By the time he left Mars as Marketing and Sales Director of Pedigree Petfoods, Allan had developed a deep understanding of consumer behaviour and brand growth—skills that would serve him throughout his career. His move to Asda in the early 1990s marked a turning point, as he played a pivotal role in the supermarket’s revival, increasing its value from half a billion to several billion pounds.

Following his success at Asda, Allan took on a string of high-profile chairmanships and non-executive roles. From Lastminute.com and Dyson to BSkyB and Scottish Power, he has advised and steered companies in retail, technology, and energy. At Royal Mail, he oversaw a period of dramatic change and modernisation, while at Pandora he led the jewellery giant’s global operations. As Chairman of The Co-operative Group from 2015 to 2023, he helped reshape one of the UK’s most established organisations. His influence has extended well beyond business, including roles in sport as Deputy Chairman of Leeds United Football Club and through his charitable work, notably raising over £1 million for Breast Cancer Care.

Allan is the author of ‘On Leadership’ and ‘Tough Calls’, books that reflect his straightforward, people-first approach to management. As a speaker, he shares hard-earned insights on leadership, transformation, and decision-making, grounded in his vast experience at the helm of major organisations. Engaging, pragmatic, and inspiring, Allan Leighton provides audiences with invaluable lessons from a career spent building resilience and success in business.