The appointment of Nic Coward as Chairman

16th May 2018

Press Release   

As Stuart Canvas Group grows, the company has appointed Nic Coward as non-executive chairman to succeed Compton Hellyer with effect from June 1^st 2018.

Nic is chairman or director of a number of businesses in diverse areas, including; sports, the retail motor trade, data and analytics, and forensic science. He is chairman of England Golf, as well as advising sports and entertainment businesses in the UK and across the world. Nic has spent over 20 years in senior executive roles in sport, including as General Secretary of the Premier League and Chief Executive of the British Horseracing Authority.  He was both an executive and non-executive director of The Football Association and was on the board of Wembley Stadium. He started his working life at City-solicitors, Freshfields.

Compton Hellyer has been chairman since 2006.  He will remain on the board as a non-executive director, working with Nic and Chief Executive Ed Stoddart to identify a new board member.  Howard Rudebeck stepped down from the board in March 2018, replaced by Nic Coward.

Ed Stoddart, Chief Executive of Stuart Canvas Group, said:” Compton has been a fantastic chairman, and instrumental in the successful growth of the business.  He and Howard have both made a great contribution and have been a pleasure to work with.  I’m delighted that Nic is taking on the role of chairman. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience. His previous and ongoing roles in the world of sport in particular make a great fit with our long-standing sports business. As the Group grows and heads in exciting new directions, we are all looking forward to working with him.”Notes to Editors:

Stuart Canvas Group is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of specialist covers for the sports, defence, construction, transport and leisure industries.  It also provides specialist services to sports event operators, including at Wimbledon, Ascot and Aintree.

With over 45 years of experience, Stuart Canvas has built a global reputation as an expert within the industry from its base at three sites in North-West England.

The Group recently acquired Mudfords, the 185 year-old industrial textiles manufacturer and supplies business, based in Yorkshire.

For more information call: 01925 814 525 or email: marketing@stuartcanvas.co.uk