Severn Trent Plc - Appointment of Chair

Severn Trent Plc - Appointment of Chair

The Board of Severn Trent Plc is pleased to announce that Christine Hodgson has been appointed as the next Chair of the Company.  She will join the Board as an Independent Non-Executive Director with effect from 1 January 2020 and will succeed Andrew Duff in April 2020.   

Christine has been appointed as a member of the Corporate Responsibility, Nominations and Remuneration Committees, and will become Chair of the Nominations Committee upon Andrew Duff's retirement. She has also been appointed to the Board of Severn Trent Water Limited and will become Chair of that Company in April 2020 following Andrew Duff's retirement from the Boards of Severn Trent Plc and Severn Trent Water Limited.

Christine brings extensive Board and Governance experience to the Company as well as a deep understanding of business, finance and technology leadership.  She is a committed advocate of the need for companies to serve all of their stakeholders effectively and deliver their social purpose.  She is currently the Executive Chair of Capgemini UK plc and the Senior Independent Director of Standard Chartered Plc. She was previously an Independent Non-Executive Director of Ladbrokes Coral Group PLC until 2017.

Christine joined Capgemini, one of the world's largest technology and professional services Groups, in 1997 and built her career in a variety of roles including CFO for Capgemini UK plc and for the Global Outsourcing business, CEO of Technology Services North West Europe and the Global Head of Corporate Social Responsibility.  On assuming the Chair of Severn Trent Christine will retire from her roles at Capgemini.

Commenting on the appointment, Kevin Beeston, the Company's Senior Independent Director who led the planned succession process, said, "I am delighted that Christine will be joining the Company as our new Chair. I believe that she brings the right mix of Board and business skills and experience, as well as a real understanding of our culture and commitment to serve all of our stakeholders well.

I would also like to place on record our sincere thanks to Andy Duff for his outstanding leadership of the Company on behalf of our stakeholders and Board over the past nine years and we wish him the very best for the future." 

Christine Hodgson, said, "I am very pleased to have been appointed as a Director and Chair designate of Severn Trent.  I look forward to working with the Board, the executive team and our stakeholders on the opportunities ahead."

Andy Duff, commented, "Severn Trent is a great Company and one that I have been incredibly proud to work for. As we prepare to implement our new AMP7 business plan, following selection as one of only three companies awarded Fast Track status by Ofwat, I wish Christine every success as she sets out to lead Severn Trent into its next important phase." 

The Company confirms that there is no other information to be disclosed under the requirements of Listing Rule 9.6.13R in relation to these appointments.