The Very Group appoints Nadhim Zahawi as non-executive chair
The Very Group has appointed YouGov founder, MP for Stratford-on-Avon and former senior Government Minister Nadhim Zahawi as non-executive chair and board member.
Due to stand down as an MP at the next general election, Zahawi will succeed Aidan Barclay who assumed the role as a representative of the Barclay family on an interim basis in February after Dirk Van den Berghe stepped down from the position at the end of his contract term.
Zahawi became an MP in 2010 and since then has served as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Chancellor of the Exchequer and Secretary of State for Education. During the Covid-19 pandemic, he was appointed as Minister for Covid Vaccine Deployment with responsibility for the rollout of the UK’s vaccine programme. He has also held roles at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, and the Department of Health and Social Care.
Prior to his political career, he co-founded and was chief executive of YuuGov, the digital polling and market research specialist.
Zahawi was born in Baghdad, from where he and his family fled Saddam Hussein’s regime to come to the UK when he was 11.
Barclay said: “I am delighted to welcome Nadhim to the board of The Very Group. With a proven track record in digital growth and innovation, and highly respected in the UK and global markets, he is ideally suited to lead our Board as the company enters its next stage of strategic development and growth.”
Zahawi said: “I am honoured to be asked to join the board and become chair of The Very Group. As one of the UK’s largest digital retailers and flexible payments providers, the company has an important role to play in helping families get more out of life. With a heritage of over 100 years, Very has an unrivalled knowledge and understanding of its customer, demonstrating resilience even in the face of challenging conditions.”
