Appointment of Chair

Coats Group PLC

14 May 2026

 

14 May 2026

Coats Group plc

Appointment of Chair

Coats Group plc ('Coats' or the 'Company'), a world-leading Tier 2 supplier of critical components to the apparel and footwear industries, announces that Tim Cobbold will join the Board as a Non-Executive Director and Chair Designate with effect from 1 July 2026. He will also join the Nomination Committee at this time. Further to the succession plan announced in March 2024, David Gosnell will retire as Chair and from the Board of Coats on 31 July 2026, after eleven years with the Company, having served as Chair from May 2021. Tim will then succeed David as Chair, and Chair of the Nomination Committee, with effect from 1 August 2026.

Tim is currently Chair of Spirax Group plc, where he also chairs the Nomination Committee, and he was previously Chair of TI Fluid Systems plc from 2022 to 2025, having initially been appointed as a Non-Executive Director in 2019. He was also a Non-Executive Director of Rotork plc from 2018 to 2024. In his executive career, Tim was the Chief Executive of three FTSE 250 listed companies: UBM plc; De La Rue plc; and Chloride Group plc. Prior to this, he held senior management positions at Smiths Group/TI Group where he worked for 18 years.

Steve Murray, Senior Independent Director, said: "Following a comprehensive and rigorous search process, the Board is delighted to appoint Tim as Chair. He brings extensive experience of leading large, complex industrial groups and a strong track record of delivering value through growth, operational excellence, and capital allocation including M&A. His meaningful experience as Chair of listed companies, combined with his international background, positions him well to support the Company's long‑term growth.

On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank David for his significant contribution over many years, both as Chair and previously as a Non-Executive Director. His leadership has been an integral part of our transformation and success. We all wish him well for the future."

Tim said: "I am delighted to be joining Coats at a time that the Group has exciting opportunities to accelerate growth and to generate significant value for shareholders. I am looking forward to working with the Board and Group Executive Team to realise those opportunities."

Commenting on his retirement from the Board and Tim's appointment, David said: "It has been a privilege to serve as Chair of Coats over the past five years and to contribute to the stewardship of a business with a 250‑year legacy of creating value and innovating to meet our customers' evolving needs. During my tenure as Chair, the Group has transformed its portfolio, including the creation of our dedicated Footwear division following the acquisitions of Rhenoflex, Texon and, most recently, OrthoLite. The derisking of the UK pension scheme, together with our continued focus on sustainability, positions Coats well for future success. I am delighted to welcome Tim to the Board as my successor as Chair. I would like to thank my fellow Board members for their support and wish the Company every success in the future."

No further information is required to be disclosed pursuant to Listing Rule 6.4.8.

Enquiry details
Investors	Chris Dyett	Coats Group plc	[phone]
Media	Nick Hasell Victoria Hayns	FTI Consulting	[phone]

About Coats Group plc

Coats is a world-leading Tier 2 manufacturer and trusted partner for the apparel and footwear industries. We deliver essential materials, components, and software solutions that help our customers grow, compete and win.

With over 250 years of industry expertise, we're shaping the future of the apparel and footwear supply chain through insight-led innovation, impactful sustainability practices, and digital technologies that unlock better product quality, efficiency and performance.

Headquartered in the UK, Coats is a FTSE 250 company and a constituent of the FTSE4Good Index. In 2025, we generated $1.5 billion in revenue and employed c.19,000 people worldwide - all united by a spirit of innovation, quality and service. Learn more at www.coats.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

LEI: 2138003SPYWGAITNFY17

 

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