Associated British Foods (ABF) has appointed Joana Edwards as its group chief financial officer.
Having joined the business as group financial controller in 2020, Edwards had been acting as group interim finance director since March 2025 following Eoin Tonge’s promotion to interim CEO.
Bringing more than 30 years’ worth of global financial experience to her new role, prior to ABF Edwards worked as group financial controller for French cosmetics giant L’Oréal. She also spent several years in senior financial roles at The Body Shop.
On her appointment, Edwards said: “I am thrilled to be appointed chief financial officer. During my time at ABF, I have worked closely with our teams across the business and have seen first-hand the strength of our portfolio, the resilience of our model and the depth of talent we have across the organisation.
“I will focus on disciplined capital allocation, cost management and cash generation, while ensuring we invest behind the areas of greatest strategic potential. I look forward to working with the Board and leadership team to deliver sustainable, long-term growth and attractive returns for our shareholders.”
Her promotion will also see her join the ABF board as an executive director effective immediately.
Concurrently, Eoin Tonge has also been named as Primark’s new chief executive on a permanent basis.
Tonge had stepped up to the interim CEO position following the dramatic resignation of Paul Marchant after allegations of misconduct.
Having held the role since July 2009, Marchant departed Primark at the conclusion of an investigation into his behaviour towards a woman in a social setting.
Tonge first joined ABF in February 2023 and had served as group finance director since April of that year, before being offering the interim CEO role.
Earlier in his career, he also worked as Greencore’s chief financial officer before taking on the same position at Marks & Spencer, which he combined with chief strategy officer duties.
“Following a comprehensive search process, I am delighted to confirm Eoin as chief executive of Primark. Over the past year he has demonstrated the leadership, judgement and consumer insight needed to enable Primark to capture the significant opportunities ahead”, said George Weston, ABF CEO.
