Big Lots Executive and Leadership Team

July, 2026

Leadership Overview

Big Lots has 4 executives leading key functions including strategy, operations, finance, and merchandising.

Driven by a commitment to value, Big Lots operates as a leading home discount retailer, leveraging its ecommerce platform and expanded fulfillment capabilities to serve customers across America.

Leadership Roles at Big Lots

  • Chief Executive Officer - Gerard McBride
  • President & Chief Executive Officer - Bruce Thorn
  • President - Alan Bishop
  • Executive VP & Chief Financial & Administrative Officer - Jonathan Ramsden
  • Gerard McBride - Chief Executive Officer

    Gerard McBride, the Chief Executive Officer at Big Lots, directs the overarching corporate strategy and vision. McBride's leadership focuses on navigating the competitive retail landscape, ensuring the company's long-term growth trajectory and market positioning. This executive role involves setting strategic priorities, driving innovation in retail operations, and fostering a culture of performance across all departments. McBride's oversight extends to key decision-making processes that shape the company's future, including market expansion and strategic partnerships. The Chief Executive Officer's responsibilities are critical for maintaining Big Lots' status as a premier home discount retailer. Gerard McBride ensures that strategic initiatives align with the company's mission to provide value to customers through its extensive product offerings and robust ecommerce capabilities. This leadership position is central to optimizing the company's operational efficiency and financial health, directly impacting its ability to adapt to evolving consumer demands and market dynamics.

    Bruce Thorn - President & Chief Executive Officer

    Bruce Thorn, the President & Chief Executive Officer at Big Lots, spearheads the company's comprehensive operational execution and strategic direction. Thorn's leadership is pivotal in managing the day-to-day business activities, ensuring seamless integration between the physical store footprint and the expanding ecommerce operations. This role demands a keen focus on optimizing fulfillment and delivery capabilities, directly supporting Big Lots' position as a major home discount retailer. The President & Chief Executive Officer's purview includes driving operational efficiencies, enhancing customer experience across all channels, and fostering cross-functional collaboration to achieve business objectives. Bruce Thorn is instrumental in translating strategic plans into tangible results, overseeing departments responsible for merchandising, supply chain, and store management. This executive's influence is critical in maintaining Big Lots' competitive edge by ensuring agile responses to market trends and consumer needs, thereby solidifying the company's market presence and financial performance.
    Bruce Thorn

    Alan Bishop - President

    Alan Bishop, the President at Big Lots, drives key strategic initiatives and operational excellence across the organization. Bishop's leadership focuses on enhancing the company's retail operations, particularly in optimizing the in-store customer experience and managing the extensive product assortment. This executive role is central to Big Lots' mission as a premier home discount retailer, ensuring that operational strategies align with market demands and competitive pressures. The President's responsibilities include overseeing merchandising strategies, supply chain logistics, and store performance, all critical components of the company's success. Alan Bishop works to ensure seamless integration between the physical retail environment and the company's growing ecommerce platform, supporting expanded fulfillment and delivery capabilities. This leadership position is vital for driving efficiency, fostering innovation in retail execution, and contributing to the overall financial performance and market standing of Big Lots.

    Jonathan Ramsden - Executive VP & Chief Financial & Administrative Officer

    Jonathan Ramsden, the Executive VP & Chief Financial & Administrative Officer at Big Lots, directs the company's financial health and administrative functions. Ramsden's responsibilities encompass managing all aspects of financial planning, accounting, treasury, and investor relations, ensuring fiscal discipline and strategic resource allocation. This executive role is crucial for maintaining the financial stability required for Big Lots' operations as a leading home discount retailer. The Chief Financial & Administrative Officer oversees administrative operations, ensuring efficient support systems are in place to facilitate business objectives. Jonathan Ramsden's strategic financial management supports the company's ecommerce expansion and fulfillment capabilities, enabling informed investment decisions and risk mitigation. This leadership position is vital for driving profitability, managing capital effectively, and providing the financial framework necessary for sustainable growth and operational excellence across the organization.
    Jonathan Ramsden

    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Big Lots Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Big Lots?
    Big Lots is led by Gerard McBride (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Bruce Thorn (President & Chief Executive Officer) and Alan Bishop (President).
    Who is part of Big Lots’s executive team?
    The executive team of Big Lots includes leaders such as Gerard McBride (Chief Executive Officer), Bruce Thorn (President & Chief Executive Officer), Alan Bishop (President) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Big Lots have?
    Big Lots has 4 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Big Lots’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Big Lots includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, President & Chief Executive Officer, President, Executive VP & Chief Financial & Administrative Officer.