Enterprise Inns add non-executive director: Enterprise Inns has added Marisa Cassoni to its board as a new non-executive director, starting on 1 April. She will serve on the Audit, Nomination and Remuneration committees of the Board. Cassoni is a qualified ICAEW chartered accountant and finance professional with 40 years of experience. She was previously finance director of the UK Division of Prudential Group. Between 2001 and 2006 she was finance director of the Post Office (subsequently Royal Mail), and between 2006 and 2012 she was finance director of the John Lewis Partnership. Cassoni is currently a non-executive director of AO World, Skipton Group Holdings and The People’s Operator, where she chairs the Audit Committees. She also sat on the Economics Affairs Committee of the CBI and is currently a panel member of the Competition and Markets Authority. Robert Walker, chairman, said: “We are delighted that Marisa has agreed to join the Board in April. We have sought to secure a new non-executive director with outstanding financial experience and qualifications and in Marisa we have achieved that. She brings substantial financial knowledge and expertise which further strengthens the Board.” Marisa Cassoni added: “Enterprise Inns is a great business and over the last financial year has made real progress. I see it building on that momentum and focussing on maintaining operational progress so as to reduce debt and generate value for shareholders. I look forward to joining the Board.”

AG Barr reports pre-tax profit up 10% to £41.9m: Soft drink producer AG Barr has reported profit before tax and exceptionals rose 10.1% to £41.9m in the 12 months to 25 January 2015. Total turnover increased by 2.7% to £260.9m (2014: £254.1m) – stripping out the impact of the loss of the Orangina brand, turnover increased by 3.3% All core brands – IRN-BRU, Barr, Rubicon and Strathmore – grew, outperforming the market, with particularly strong growth coming from the stills segment driven by Strathmore water. The acquisition of Funkin Limited was completed in February 2015, ‘providing entry point to new growth category’. Chief executive Roger White said: “We have delivered an excellent financial performance in difficult market conditions over the past 12 months, whilst continuing to build the platform required for sustained and profitable long-term growth. Looking forward we will continue our approach of tight cost control, rigorous cash management and focus on execution whilst continuing to invest for the long-term in our brands, assets and people. Overall market conditions are expected to remain challenging. The UK soft drinks market is currently experiencing a period of price deflation, which will, if sustained, make it more difficult for many businesses to deliver the top line growth of recent years. Whilst our year has started slowly, reflecting tough comparative trading and promotional phasing, we are confident that our management actions, combined with our proven business model, will enable us to further unlock the significant potential that AG Barr offers its shareholders this year and into the future.”