Board of Directors
Nick Mustoe Interim Non-Executive Chairman
Nick started his career in 1981 working in advertising for agencies Foote Cone and Belding and Lowe Howard Spink. In that time Nick worked across many clients including Tesco, Heineken, Whitbread, Vauxhall, Wicks, Weetabix, Bauer Publishing and Hanson Group Companies.
In 1993 Nick led a breakaway start up agency called Mustoe Merriman Levy which he ran as an independent agency for 15 years, with a brief period under the ownership of Japanese multi-national Hakuhodo. During this time the agency managed client accounts including Kia Cars, Danone, Lloyds Pharmacy, Doctor Marten, Bauer Publishing, Coca Cola and Unilever.
In 2008, Mustoe Merriman Levy merged with a leading PR agency Geronimo to form Kindred, a PR and social media agency. Nick subsequently led an MBO of Kindred in 2010 and continues to lead the company as Chairman.
Nick also holds several non-executive positions including Chairman of Sandown Park Racecourse, tech company Lifestream, and Strata Create events agency.
Alison Hall Joint-CEO
Former fashion magazine editor, Alison Hall, is co-founder and joint CEO of Sosandar.
Prior to founding Sosandar in 2015, Alison was editor of Look magazine. After its launch in 2007, Alison helped it grow to become a leading fashion magazine title. Alison has been a highly influential fashion editor, and has twice been awarded the Editor of the Year (Women's Magazines (weekly or fortnightly)) accolade by the British Society of Magazine Editors. During her tenure at Look, Alison designed successful clothing ranges for several of the UK's top retailers.
Starting out as a reporter for regional newspapers, Alison began her magazine career at EMAP's Slimming magazine. Recruited by Bliss magazine as deputy editor in 2001, Alison was promoted to acting editor, and six months later moved to More magazine as editor, where she successfully implemented a major relaunch of the title. Alison has also been a fashion contributor to both local and national radio and TV shows.
Julie Lavington Joint-CEO
Former fashion magazine publishing director, Julie Lavington, is co-founder and joint CEO of Sosandar.
In 2007, Julie launched Look magazine, a leading UK women's fashion publication. During her tenure, Julie steered Look to have a multi-platform presence with a wide social media reach. She diversified into producing successful Look branded clothing ranges with leading UK fashion retailers. Julie was awarded the prestigious Publisher of the Year Award in 2010 by the Professional Publishers Association. From August 2014, Julie was also publishing director of UK InStyle magazine a global fashion brand published in 17 countries worldwide.
Prior to her role at Look and InStyle, Julie was publishing director of the TV portfolio at H. Bauer from 2001 to 2006, where she took TV Choice from fledgling brand to market leader. She has also held publishing roles on numerous women's brands, including Marie Claire, after starting her career in advertising sales following a modern languages degree at Durham University. Julie is experienced in consumer research, sales and marketing, logistics and manufacturing, the development of customer-focused businesses, and in the recruitment and development of multi-disciplined teams.
Steve Dilks Chief Financial Officer
Steve joined Sosandar from Regatta, the outdoor apparel business in September 2020 as Finance Director and was appointed Chief Financial Officer in May 2021 . Steve is CIMA qualified and has a broad skillset gained across a number of roles in highly complex organisations with a blend of financial, commercial and strategic experience.
During his eleven years at Regatta, the last four as Finance Director, Steve supported the Group’s consistent double-digit growth across multiple brands, countries and channels including wholesale, own retail, concessions and online. He was also the finance lead for several key strategic projects including the Group's Brexit planning and the implementation of group wide new IT systems.
Prior to his tenure at Regatta, Steve held a broad range of financial and commercial roles in retail and FMCG organisations including Kraft Foods and The Co-Operative Group.
Lesley WattNon-Executive Director
Lesley is as an experienced commercial CFO and Finance Director with over 25 years in Board and senior finance positions across private, public and third sectors, including Scottish and Newcastle plc and latterly as CFO of Miller Developments. She is currently a member of the Tatton Asset Management plc Board and has significant experience with high growth strategic start-ups and blue chip companies. Lesley is a Chartered Accountant having qualified with PWC.
Adam Reynolds Non-Executive Director
Adam began his career in the City in 1980 with stockbrokers Rowe Rudd. He later joined Public Relations business Basham & Coyle heading their Investor Relations Division. In 2000, he established his own PR/IR and Corporate Finance firm, which listed on AIM in November 2000 and was then sold in 2004.
Adam was approached in 2005 to become Non-Executive Chairman of International Brand Licensing Plc. In 2009, Adam brought David Evans and Julian Baines - the two leading diabetes specialists in the UK - into the company and the business changed direction. Today it is known as EKF Diagnostics Plc. Adam is a non-executive director and a shareholder.
In 2012, Adam was introduced to Autoclenz Plc through an institutional fund manager. In November 2012, Adam launched a successful agreed bid with the management for the business to be taken private. Adam is a director and shareholder of this business.
Andrew Booth Non-Executive Director
Andrew is a 20 year digital marketing veteran working with hypergrowth companies, starting with gettyimages in 1999 developing his career throughout the rise from Aim to Nasdeq, to NYSE becoming Vice President of Marketing. Following the sale of gettyimages in 2008 for $2.4BN to Hellman and Friedman, Andrew joined Time Out as Group Marketing Director leading the migration of digital with the customers and growth of the worldwide brand. Thereafter he became Chief Marketing Officer for the Hut Group spanning all brands, all customer facing activity globally. In 2014 Andrew joined Lateooms.com, part of TUI PLC as Chief marketing Officer / Chief Revenue officer remaining on until its sale. Andrew remains within the plural environment focused on brands that are utilising technology to significantly
Jon WraggNon-Executive Director
Jon is an experienced senior executive with a track record of driving growth in consumer businesses through digital channels. From April 2014 to September 2021, Jon held a number of executive roles with Superdry plc, including e-Commerce and Wholesale Director and Global Wholesale Director. During his time at Superdry Jon oversaw rapid sales and profit growth with e-commerce sales tripling in three years; and sales doubling in the larger Wholesale division over three years. In addition, he helped establish global partnerships through which circa 500 franchise stores were opened across 65 countries.
Prior to this, Jon spent seven years at ASDA WalMart and 26 years at Littlewoods SDG Ltd (now The Very Group) where he led a team of 260 to develop, procure and trade the product portfolio of a £1bn business and was responsible for creating a portfolio of new web-based niche businesses. Jon is currently an Independent Non-Executive Director of Manchester Airport Group, appointed in part for his digital experience, and is a member of the company's Audit, Nomination and Corporate & Social Responsibilities Committees.
Page last updated: 21 March 2023