Business · Companies · 20 hrs ago
Jonathan Muir named Dia chair after Benjamin J. Babcock resigns
Dia appointed Jonathan Muir as its non-executive chair after Benjamin J. Babcock resigned from the role and the company’s board.
Muir is chief executive of LetterOne, which is Dia’s main shareholder, with 77.7% of its capital.
Babcock resigned after leaving LetterOne, and the company thanked him for his work during his time as chair and director.
His periods as chair included leading Dia’s strategic shift, operational recovery and a refinancing completed in December 2024.
Eight of Dia’s nine directors are independent of its main shareholder, and all members of its audit and appointments committees are independent.
Dia says Muir’s arrival should provide continuity in board leadership and oversight of its strategic goals.
Shareholders will vote on Muir’s appointment at the first general meeting held after his appointment.
Dia’s board appointed Jonathan Muir as the supermarket group’s non-executive proprietary chair, replacing Benjamin J. Babcock.
Babcock resigned as chair and board member after he stopped working for LetterOne.
Muir is LetterOne’s current chief executive and joined Dia’s board by co-option to fill the vacancy.
His appointment will be submitted for ratification and re-election at Dia’s next general shareholders’ meeting.
After the changes, eight of Dia’s nine directors are independent of its main shareholder, L1R Invest1 Holdings.
- Who
- Jonathan Muir, LetterOne’s chief executive, was appointed chair of Dia, replacing Benjamin J. Babcock.
- What
- Dia’s board appointed Muir as non-executive proprietary chair. Babcock resigned as chair and board member.
- When
- The appointment was announced on 16 October 2026.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- Babcock resigned after he stopped working for LetterOne. Muir’s appointment is expected to provide continuity in board leadership and oversight of Dia’s strategic goals.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Babcock began serving as chair of Dia’s board.
Babcock’s first period as chair ended.
Dia completed a refinancing during Babcock’s tenure as chair.
Babcock returned to the chair role.
Dia announced Muir’s appointment after Babcock resigned.
- New chair
- Jonathan Muir
- Outgoing chair
- Benjamin J. Babcock
- Muir’s role
- Chief executive of LetterOne
- Board independence
- 8 of 9 directors, or 89%, are independent of L1R Invest1 Holdings
- Main shareholder stake
- L1R Invest1 Holdings owns 77.7% of Dia
- Women’s representation
- 67% of Dia’s board is female