Breedon Names CFO James Brotherton as Next CEO to Succeed Rob Wood
Breedon has picked finance chief James Brotherton to take over from Rob Wood as chief executive on the 1st of January, an internal succession that points to continuity and leaves the group looking for a new CFO.
Breedon Group (LON: BREE), the construction materials producer, has named chief financial officer James Brotherton as its next chief executive. He succeeds Rob Wood on the 1st of January 2027, after Wood retires from the board on the 31st of December, twelve years after joining the company.
The shares closed yesterday at 323p, down 2.77% from 332.2p, which values the company at about £1.1bn. That is 10.72% below the 52-week closing high of 361.8p and 18.32% above the closing low of 273p.
The shares were at 316p by 8.11am, 2.17% below yesterday’s close. They also go ex-dividend today, meaning new buyers no longer receive the latest payout, so part of the fall may reflect the payout rather than the succession news.
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Brotherton has been CFO since 2021 and worked closely with Wood on the group’s “Expand and Improve” strategy. That included building a third platform in the US and moving the shares up to the main market of the London Stock Exchange.
Breedon said the choice followed a comprehensive internal and external search, led by its Nominations Committee, the board group that handles senior appointments, with independent advisers. Chair Amit Bhatia said he was delighted Brotherton had agreed to take the job.
James combines a deep understanding of Breedon, its people and its end markets with strong strategic and commercial judgement.
Amit Bhatia, Chair
Wood joined as group finance director in 2014 and became CEO in 2021. He stays on as an employee to support the handover until his notice period ends on the 30th of September 2027. Bhatia called him an exceptional CEO who led through a challenging period for the industry.
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Breedon Group share price, daily close in pence, 1 July–30 September 2026, shown ahead of the CEO succession announcement on 1 October.
Brotherton pointed to growth potential in the US and Ireland and a material recovery opportunity in Great Britain, and spoke of continuing to build “Breedon 3.0”. Choosing an executive who helped shape the current strategy suggests continuity rather than a reset.
Breedon has begun recruiting Brotherton’s successor as CFO and will announce it in due course. Full-year results are expected on the 10th of March 2027, though the company has not confirmed the date.
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