roisin currie – Inspiring CEO Transforming Modern Retail

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Introduction

Roisin Currie is one of the most influential business leaders in the United Kingdom, known for her transformational leadership as the Chief Executive Officer of Greggs. Her journey from early retail jobs in Glasgow to leading a nationwide food-on-the-go powerhouse is a remarkable example of resilience, people-focused leadership, and strategic growth. This biography explores her early life, education, career achievements, leadership style, and the dual impact—both positive and challenging—that comes with leading a major organisation in today’s demanding market.

As a leader, Roisin Currie embodies determination, empathy, and business innovation. Her rise to the top demonstrates how strong values, consistent performance, and a deep understanding of people can shape a powerful corporate legacy. At the same time, she operates in a sector filled with competitive pressures, rising costs, and workforce challenges—making her success both inspiring and hard-earned.

Quick Bio (Table Format)

Category	Details
Full Name	Roisin Currie
Nationality	Scottish / British
Birthplace	Glasgow, Scotland
Education	BA in Business (Business Law & Business Management), University of Strathclyde
Known For	CEO of Greggs
Profession	Business Executive & Retail Leader
Companies	ASDA (Former), Greggs (Current), Howdens (Non-Executive Director)
Notable Roles	Group People Director, Retail Director, Property Director, CEO
Awards	Honorary Doctorate (2024), CBE (2025)
Source of Income	Executive Salary, Leadership Roles, Board Memberships
Net Worth (Public Holdings)	Based on publicly declared shares only
Nationality / Accent	Scottish (Glasgow upbringing)

Early Life and Educational Background

Roisin Currie grew up in Glasgow, Scotland, where she developed a strong work ethic from an early age. During her school years, she worked weekends in a shoe shop and later took part-time roles at ASDA. These early experiences helped her understand customer service, teamwork, and the realities of frontline retail—skills that would later shape her leadership style.

She pursued higher education at the University of Strathclyde, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Business. Her studies focused on Business Law and Business Management, equipping her with the foundational knowledge required for corporate leadership.

Professional Beginnings at ASDA

After graduating, Roisin entered ASDA’s competitive Graduate Programme. This opportunity allowed her to grow professionally within one of the UK’s largest retailers. Over nearly two decades, she progressed through several major roles, including:

Head of Reward
Retail People Director
Distribution People Director

Her work at ASDA strengthened her expertise in people management, workforce development, and operational leadership. This deep HR and operational grounding became a defining part of her identity as a business leader.

Joining Greggs and Climbing to Executive Leadership

In 2010, Roisin Currie joined Greggs as Group People Director, marking the beginning of a major chapter in her career. Her commitment to employee engagement, fairness, and culture made her a central figure in the organisation’s transformation.

By 2017, she expanded her influence as Retail Operations & People Director, combining retail leadership with workforce management. In 2021, she became Retail & Property Director, overseeing shop operations and the company’s property strategy.

Her outstanding performance led to her appointment as Chief Executive Officer in 2022. As CEO, she introduced strategies for expansion, digital integration, sustainability, and customer experience improvement.

Leadership Style and Philosophy

Roisin Currie is celebrated for her people-centred leadership, shaped by her extensive HR experience. Her approach emphasises:

Empathy and Inclusivity

Currie believes that organisations thrive when employees feel respected and capable of growth.

Fair Opportunity

She supports programmes like Fresh Start, helping individuals with challenging backgrounds access employment.

Balanced Decision-Making

She combines humane leadership with strong commercial focus, ensuring business decisions remain strategic and responsible.

Long-Term Vision

Roisin is a forward-thinking leader, committed to expanding Greggs while making the brand more accessible, modern, and community-driven.

Business Ventures and Professional Influence

Although Roisin Currie does not run private ventures publicly, her major corporate influence includes:

Leading Greggs through modernisation
Supporting job creation nationwide
Expanding store networks, formats, and digital channels
Serving as a Non-Executive Director at Howdens Joinery Group

Her contribution goes beyond business results—she plays a key role in shaping ethical employment pathways in the retail sector.

Achievements, Awards, and Recognition

Roisin Currie has received several high-profile recognitions for leadership and service:

Honorary Doctorate (2024) for contributions to business and social mobility
Commander of the Order of the British Empire – CBE (2025) for services to hospitality
Public praise for promoting diversity, inclusion, and fair hiring
Recognition as one of the UK’s most influential modern businesswomen

Challenges and Pressures (Positive and Negative Realities)

Positive Factors

Strong public respect for ethical leadership
Greggs continues to grow and evolve under her direction
Her emphasis on people makes Greggs a more community-focused brand

Negative Realities

Managing rising operational costs and inflation
Navigating competition in the food-on-the-go sector
Balancing expansion with sustainability demands
Leading a massive workforce while meeting shareholder expectations

These factors highlight both the power and pressure that come with her role.

Current Position and Latest Developments

Roisin Currie remains the active CEO of Greggs, steering the company through expansion and innovation. Her latest public focus includes:

Multi-channel convenience (shops + delivery)
Opening more locations nationwide
Strengthening culture and workforce engagement
Supporting community and rehabilitation programmes
Enhancing digital ordering and customer accessibility

Her leadership continues to shape the future of one of the UK’s most iconic brands.

Conclusion

Roisin Currie stands as a powerful role model in the world of retail and corporate leadership. Her journey from Glasgow’s retail floors to the CEO’s office of a major UK brand demonstrates dedication, strategic excellence, and a strong commitment to people. While leading Greggs through growth and transformation, she also champions social impact, diversity, and second-chance employment.

Her legacy is defined not only by business success but by her belief that companies can improve lives while achieving commercial greatness. Roisin Currie’s leadership continues to inspire emerging executives across the UK and beyond.