Padfield, CEO of veterinary care provider IVC Evidensia Ireland, will join the Nichols board from 1 September. She will replace the outgoing Helen Keays, who is set to step down from the Vimto manufacturer’s board on 31 August after a nine-year spell with the company. Padfield will bring “extensive leadership experience” in consumer-facing businesses to her new position, having held a number of senior executive roles throughout her career. During her time at retail powerhouses Marks and Spencer and Tesco, Padfield has been credited with driving growth, transformation and “operational excellence”. “I look forward to the benefit that Laura’s breadth and depth of experience will bring to the board.”