Confectionery retailer Thorntons has appointed ex-group finance director of Somerfield Mark Robson as its finance director.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more


Robson will succeed John Wall who stepped down from the board earlier this year. He will take up the position on 30 November, during which time, Wall will remain for a transition period.


Since 2005 Robson has been finance director of Somerfield, now part of fellow UK retailer The Co-operative Group.


Previous positions include finance director of SFI Holdings Limited, the pub and bar chain, and Claire’s Accessories (UK).


John von Spreckelsen, Thorntons’ chairman, said: “We are delighted that Mark has agreed to join Thorntons. He brings considerable experience of the retail and consumer goods sector and will be a great asset to the team at Thorntons. We look forward to working with him.”

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Just Food Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Just Food Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.

Excellence in Action
Winning five categories in the 2025 Just Food Excellence Awards, Centric Software is setting the pace for digital transformation in food and FMCG. Explore how its integrated PLM and PXM suite delivers faster launches, smarter compliance and data-driven growth for complex, multi-channel product portfolios.

Discover the Impact