Currie will take on the role from the date of the company's annual general meeting in May 2022. In the interim period, Roisin will act as chief executive officer designate and as an executive director with effect from 1 February 2022. The change at the top was announced alongside Greggs' fourth quarter trading update, which confirmed total sales for the 2021 financial year higher than 2020 and 2019 figures.
After Currie takes on her role, Whiteside will remain available to support the transition process until his notice expires on 5 January 2023.
Currie currently holds the post of retail and property director, with responsibility for Greggs' retail operations across the UK and its central support team. She also leads the development of the Greggs shop estate and its growing delivery business, in partnership with Just Eat. As a member of the company's operating board, she has played a key role in the development of the strategic plans set out last year.
Worked at Asda
Before joining Greggs in 2010, she worked at Asda where she held people director roles responsible for the organisation's retail and distribution operations. She is a trustee of the Greggs Foundation and is chair of the Employers Forum For Reducing Re-offending.
"Roisin has played a central role in the success of Greggs as it has developed as a multi-channel food-on-the-go business and I am delighted that she will lead the next phase of our growth as chief executive," said Ian Durant, Greggs chairman.
"She has deep experience of our culture and our strategic plan, and will lead with energy and character. Roger Whiteside has been an outstanding chief executive and I wish him well for the future."
'Further strategic development'
Currie said: "Having been a senior executive in the business for 12 years, I understand our values-driven approach and the contribution that our 25,000 colleagues make each day. We have created a plan for strong growth and further strategic development of Greggs and I look forward to driving this in the coming years."
Whiteside said: "Roisin is a great leader and has played a key role in the development of the business over many years, most recently in shaping our ambitious plans for further growth. I look forward to supporting her in the transition to her new role."
Fourth quarter trading update
In its fourth quarter trading update, Greggs reported total sales of £1.23bn in the 52 weeks ended 1 January up on 2020 (£811m) and 2019 (£1.17bn) figures.
Across 2021, two-year like-for-like sales in company-managed shops were 3.3% lower than in 2019. However, in the fourth quarter of 2021, two-year like-for-like sales in company-managed shops grew by 0.8%
The company opened 131 new shops during its 2021 financial year, versus 28 closures. It sold 6.7m shop-baked mince pies over the festive season.
Whiteside commented: "We enter 2022 with a strong financial position that will support our ambitions to accelerate the rate of growth in our shop estate whilst developing new digital channels and extending the trading day. Whilst conditions in the first few months of 2022 are likely to remain challenging, we are confident that we are well placed to make progress on the many attractive opportunities that lie ahead."
