Our Management
Executive Directors
Nicholas Vetch CBE
Executive Chairman
Nicholas co‑founded Big Yellow in 1998 and has served as Executive Chairman since July 2003. Prior to this he held the position of CEO, having co‑founded Big Yellow in 1998.
Relevant experience and contribution
He brings more than 35 years’ experience in property, retail and entrepreneurial businesses and has played a central role in building Big Yellow into the UK’s market-leading self storage platform.
Nicholas provides long-term strategic leadership to Big Yellow, with a particular focus on capital discipline and sustainable growth. In 2023, he was appointed a Commander of the British Empire (“CBE”). Along with his co-founder, Jim Gibson and the CEO-Designate John Hunter, he continues to develop the strategy of the business.
External appointments
Nicholas is a Trustee of the Royal Drawing School and the Ukrainian Sponsorship Pathway UK, and a Non-Executive Director of Conduit Holdco Limited.
Jim Gibson
Chief Executive Officer
Jim has served as Chief Executive Officer since 2003. Prior to this he was Finance Director, having co-founded Big Yellow in 1998.
Relevant experience and contribution
Jim has led the business through multiple economic cycles and has been instrumental in developing its strategy, maintaining Big Yellow’s market-leading position and managing the business through recent geo-political uncertainties. He brings a wealth of experience in self storage operations and real estate, combined with strong financial and commercial expertise. Prior to Big Yellow, Jim held Finance Director roles at Edge Properties and Heron Property having trained as a chartered accountant specialising in real estate and construction at Arthur Andersen & Co.
He is responsible for strategy execution across the Group and brings an external perspective through his Non-Executive roles. Jim is retiring from the business on 20 July.
External appointments
Jim is a shareholder and Non-Executive Director of AnyJunk Limited and CityStasher Limited, an investor in Moby Self Storage (Brazil), Chair of Trustees of the London Children’s Ballet, Chair of Trustees of The Big Yellow Foundation and a Trustee of the Bede’s Development Foundation.
John Hunter
Chief Operating Officer
John joined Big Yellow as Chief Operating Officer in April 2024 and was appointed to the Board in July 2025.
Relevant experience and contribution
John brings over 20 years’ experience in retail and consumer services, having held a range of senior management roles at Carphone Warehouse, Geek Squad and HomeServe. A Chartered Accountant who qualified with Arthur Andersen, John combines strong financial discipline with extensive hands‑on operational leadership. He is responsible for the day‑to‑day operations of the business, driving performance, customer service and operational efficiency across Big Yellow’s store network and digital platforms. John’s breadth of experience supports the Group’s focus on scalable, customer‑led operations and continuous improvement.
John will take over as Chief Executive Officer upon the retirement of Jim Gibson in July 2026.
External appointments
None.
John Trotman
Chief Financial Officer
John joined Big Yellow as Chief Financial Officer in 2007, having originally trained as a Chartered Accountant with Deloitte LLP.
Relevant experience and contribution
John has extensive financial experience in real estate finance, accounting and corporate governance. He oversees the Group’s financial strategy, capital structure, reporting, treasury and risk management, supporting disciplined investment and long-term value creation. His depth of technical expertise and sector knowledge has meant he’s played a key role in maintaining robust financial controls while enabling Big Yellow’s development pipeline and sustainability ambitions. He is involved in all aspects of the day-to-day strategy and operations of the business.
External appointments
None.
Non-Executive Directors
Dr Anna Keay OBE
Independent Non-Executive Director
Anna joined the Board in March 2018 and brings senior leadership experience from the heritage and charitable sectors. She also writes and broadcasts widely, presenting on history and buildings for Channel 4.
She is a member of the Audit, Nominations, Remuneration and Sustainability Committees.
Relevant experience and contribution
Anna supports the Board’s focus on people, as the designated Non-Executive Director for workforce engagement, where she provides a formal link between employees and the Board, bringing deep expertise in governance and organisational culture. As an historian, she provides an external perspective to the Board as well as deep operational experience and was awarded an OBE for services to heritage.
External appointments
Anna has been CEO of the Landmark Trust since 2012. She is also a Trustee of the Royal Collection Trust and Director of both the Architrave Historical Services and the Lundy Company.
Vince Niblett
Senior Independent Non-Executive Director
Vince joined the Board in June 2017 and serves as Senior Independent Non‑Executive Director, Chair of the Nominations Committee and Member of the Audit, Remuneration and Sustainability Committees.
Relevant experience and contribution
He brings significant experience in audit, governance and professional services, having previously been Global Managing Partner for Audit at Deloitte. Vince has many years of financial and commercial experience, and provides independent oversight of Board processes, risk management and financial governance, supporting effective engagement with shareholders. He also leads Board composition, ensuring an appropriate balance of skills and experience at the Company.
External appointments
Vince is also a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit Committee of Forterra plc, a Non-Executive Director of Target Healthcare REIT plc, and a Trustee of the Ruth Strauss Foundation.
Laela Pakpour Tabrizi
NIndependent Non-Executive Director and Audit Committee Chair
Laela joined the Board in June 2020 and Chairs the Audit Committee. She is also a member of the Nominations, Remuneration and Sustainability Committees.
Relevant experience and contribution
Laela has a wealth of corporate and financial experience in high growth businesses, providing deep expertise and international experience from senior finance roles across technology, digital and media businesses. Her experience supports the Board’s oversight of financial resilience, investment decisions and governance standards.
External appointments
Laela is Finance Director of Consumer Converged at Virgin Media O2. She also currently serves as a Trustee of the British Library.
Heather Savory
Independent Non-Executive Director and Sustainability Committee Chair
Heather joined the Board in March 2021 and Chairs the Sustainability Committee. She is a member of the Audit, Nominations and Remunerations Committees.
Relevant experience and contribution
She brings significant experience in technology and public policy, gained through senior leadership roles at the Office for National Statistics and with United Nations data initiatives. Heather supports the Board’s oversight of environmental strategy, ESG reporting and emerging regulatory requirements, helping embed sustainability into long-term business planning. Her background strengthens the Board’s understanding of data, transparency and risk, particularly in relation to sustainability.
External appointments
Heather is also an advisory partner for Conquer.ai, an AI consultancy and Trustee of the Universal Sponsorship Pathway Charity (“USPUK”).
Michael O’Donnell
Independent Non-Executive Director and Remuneration Committee Chair
Michael joined the Board of Big Yellow in 2021 and Chairs the Remuneration Committee.
Relevant experience and contribution
He has a strong background in private equity and investment, having previously been a Partner at LGV Capital. Michael brings significant expertise in high growth businesses and of listed Company governance. As Chair of the Remuneration Committee, he leads on performance management, incentive structures and value creation, supporting shareholder alignment and providing remuneration oversight.
External appointments
Michael has been Chair of Home REIT plc since January 2024 and Lighthouse Funerals since August 2025.
Senior Management
Shauna Beavis
Financial Controller and Company Secretary, joined Big Yellow in March 2000, qualifying with CIMA in 2003. Prior to that she was a Project Manager within the IT industry.
Anthony Chenery
Head of Marketing and E-Commerce, joined Big Yellow in February 2011, having previously been employed as Head of Online Marketing with Teletext Holidays for seven years. Prior to this, he has held marketing roles within the gaming and publishing industries and with the marketing agency Proximity.
Andrew Cunnington
Head of Store Operations, joined Big Yellow in January 2025, Andrew has 30yrs of operational and commercial management experience within the retail, catering, coffee & restaurant sector. Working with companies such as Burger King, SSP Group PLC & Welcome Break. He has led 67 different branded offers during his career in high footfall and competitive location such as highstreets, railway stations and motorway service areas. Andrew brings a wealth of experience in leading and developing people, improving the customer experience, achieving high operational standards whilst delivering year on year growth in profitability.
Julie Fawcett
Head of Estates and Facilities, joined Big Yellow in June 2021. She was previously Head of Facilities at Marks and Spencer, and has also worked in key property roles at Travis Perkins Group, Lloyds Banking Group and HBOS.
Stuart Grinnall
Head of IT, Digital Security and Telephony, joined Big Yellow in July 2000. He is a systems engineer with several years’ experience developing IT solutions for growth companies and NHS Hospital Trusts.
Nigel Hartley
Construction Director, joined Big Yellow in January 2000. He is a chartered surveyor with over 35 years’ experience in the construction industry, both overseas and in the UK, principally in the retail and industrial sectors.
Cheryl Hathaway
Head of Human Resources, joined Big Yellow in March 2000, having previously been employed as a Human Resources Manager within the Harrods Group. Prior to this she worked for Debenhams in a variety of human resources roles, both within head offices and in stores.
Celia Login
Head of Customer Services, joined Big Yellow in February 2019 after a long career with Buckinghamshire County Council managing a variety of departments including the Support Services Centre and Customer Services.
Rachael Wheeler
Head of Sustainability, joined Big Yellow in August 2022. She was previously a Senior Sustainability Consultant at Mace specialising in energy efficiency and carbon reduction of existing estates with clients such as the Houses of Parliament, Siemens and Associated British Ports.