SIG Appoints Simon Kesterton as New CFO Amid Leadership Changes

Leadership Transition at SIG plc

SIG plc has announced the appointment of Simon Kesterton as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and executive director, effective from 1 May 2026. Kesterton will be taking over from Ian Ashton, who is set to depart the company at the end of May 2026. This move comes at a time when SIG is navigating challenges, including a reported 5% decline in like-for-like sales, amounting to £614 million in the first quarter of 2026.

Simon Kesterton's Background

Kesterton brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having accumulated over 20 years in financial leadership. His previous position was as CFO at Kier Group, where he served for six years before stepping down in December 2025. His tenure at Kier began in 2019, and he was instrumental in overseeing financial strategies during a transformative period for the company.

Prior to his role at Kier, Kesterton was the CFO of RPC Group for six years, further solidifying his credentials in the construction and manufacturing sectors. In addition to his new responsibilities at SIG, he currently serves as a non-executive director and audit committee chair at Mpac Group.

Recent Changes at SIG

The leadership changes at SIG are not limited to the CFO position. The company has seen significant turnover in its executive team recently. Meinie Oldersma resigned as CEO, and Nick Maddock stepped down as CFO, both effective immediately. In their absence, Steve Francis has been appointed as the new CEO, while Kath Kearney-Croft has taken on the role of interim CFO. Kearney-Croft joined SIG in January 2020 and previously held the position of Group Finance Director at The Vitec Group plc.

Looking Ahead

As Kesterton steps into his new role, he will face the challenge of steering SIG through a period of financial adjustment while also implementing strategic initiatives to enhance the company's performance. The recent leadership changes signal a commitment to revitalising the company's approach and addressing the sales decline noted in early 2026.

With Kesterton's extensive background in financial management and previous experience in the construction sector, stakeholders will be keen to see how his leadership will influence SIG's trajectory in the coming months.