CEO Succession

Big Yellow Group PLC

02 March 2026

 

2 March 2026

Big Yellow Group PLC

("Big Yellow", "the Group" or "the Company")

CEO Succession

Big Yellow Group PLC announces that its Chief Executive Officer ("CEO"), Jim Gibson, has informed the Board of his intention to retire.  Consequently, he will step down as CEO and from the Big Yellow Board with effect from 20 July 2026, following the company's Annual General Meeting.

The Board also announces that the Company's Chief Operating Officer ("COO"), John Hunter, will replace Jim Gibson as CEO, following his departure.

Jim is a co-founder of Big Yellow and has been CEO for 23 years since 2003. John joined the Group in April 2024 as COO and joined the Board in July 2025.  He is an experienced director, having joined the Company from HomeServe PLC where he was UK COO.  He previously held several senior management roles at Dixons Carphone PLC, contributing to over 20 years' experience in the retail and consumer services sector.  He additionally has a strong grounding in finance having originally qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Arthur Andersen in 2001.

Nicholas Vetch, Executive Chair commented

"Jim has, with the able assistance of the Company's senior management, been the critical force in putting the Company into the market leading position it now holds.  He has been thoughtful, strategic, bold when appropriate, cautious when necessary, and above all has commanded the respect and affection of his colleagues over his long tenure.

The planning for this transition has been nearly four years in the making.  John has had two years with the Company, and it has become abundantly clear that he has all the operational, financial and strategic skills to lead us in the next stage of our evolution.  Most importantly he has proved to be an excellent cultural fit.

The Board, our CFO John Trotman, and I look forward to working with John Hunter over the coming years as we continue to grow our market leading business."

Jim Gibson said:

"We started in a 600 sq ft office in September 1998, in Bagshot in our 30s, with an idea and property and real estate financial skills.  The journey from there, working closely with Nick, all the leaders throughout the business and other partners, to build Big Yellow into a £2 billion market cap UK self storage brand leader has been a privilege and is without doubt the proudest achievement of my business career.

This success does not happen without a great team and culture of which we are also very proud.  We have steered Big Yellow through several macro crises, delivered compounded growth over a long period and demonstrated the resilience of our business model.  Big Yellow has been part of my life for a very long time and, although I leave with some sadness, it is always important to plan for succession.  I have full confidence in Nick and both Johns to successfully deliver our business plan and to take Big Yellow forward while rewarding all stakeholders."

John Hunter added:

"I am honoured to be appointed the next Chief Executive.  Big Yellow is a fantastic business, with an exceptional team and culture.  I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Group to date and I very much look forward to working with Nick, John and the rest of the team to drive continued success and growth for the business in the years ahead."

John Trotman commented:

"It has been a great pleasure to have known and worked with Jim for over 25 years.  I have learnt so much from him over that time and I wish him every happiness in his well-deserved retirement.  I very much look forward to continuing to work with Nick and John on delivering on our strategy over the coming years."

Enquiries:

Nicholas Vetch CBE, Executive Chairman                                                    01276 477811

Jim Gibson, Chief Executive Officer                                                             01276 477811

John Trotman, Chief Financial Officer                                                           01276 477811

John Hunter, Chief Operating Officer and CEO-designate                            01276 477811

Sodali & Co                                                                                                   0207 100 6451

Ben Foster

Victoria Heslop

Notes to Editors 

Big Yellow is the UK's brand leader in self storage and operates from a platform of 112 stores.  We have a pipeline of 0.8 million sq ft comprising 12 proposed self storage facilities.  The current maximum lettable area of the existing platform is 6.7 million sq ft.  When fully built out the portfolio will provide approximately 7.5 million sq ft of flexible storage space.  99% of our stores and sites by value are held freehold and long leasehold, with the remaining 1% short leasehold.  Currently by revenue 75% of our stores are in London and its commuter towns, with the balance in larger regional conurbations.

Our stores utilise state of the art technology for our digital and operating platforms including security, and we focus on locating our stores in high profile, accessible, main road locations.  We also focus on providing excellent customer service, a highly engaged employee culture, and with a significant investment in sustainability. 

 

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