Directorate Change

RNS Number : 3203E

Taylor Wimpey PLC

03 July 2019

 

Taylor Wimpey plc - Irene Dorner to succeed Kevin Beeston as Chair

Taylor Wimpey plc is pleased to announce that it has agreed to appoint Irene Dorner as its new Non-Executive Chair of the Board. Irene will join the Board as Chair-Designate and as an independent Non Executive Director on 1 December 2019. Irene will work closely with Kevin Beeston during a handover period and it is anticipated that she will assume the role of Chair following the announcement of the Company's 2019 Full Year Results on 26 February 2020, at which time Kevin will stand down from the Board.

Kevin was appointed as Chair of the Taylor Wimpey Board on 1 July 2010. In March 2019, noting the change in the UK Governance Code with regard to the tenure of Chairs, the Company confirmed in its 2018 Annual Report, that it had commenced a search for a new Chair, led by Senior Independent Director: Dame Kate Barker.  

Following her qualification as a barrister, Irene had a long and distinguished career, largely at HSBC, where until the end of 2014, she held a number of senior positions for over 30 years. Her roles included running HSBC's Malaysian operations, becoming CEO and President of HSBC in the United States and also being appointed as Group Managing Director of HSBC Holdings and a member of the Group Management Board.

Irene currently holds independent non executive roles at AXA SA and Rolls-Royce Holdings plc and she also chairs Control Risks Limited, a risk consultancy business. During 2018 Irene also chaired Virgin Money Holdings (UK) plc prior to it being acquired.

Kate Barker, Senior Independent Director, said "On behalf of the Board, I would like firstly to thank Kevin for his outstanding commitment and dedication to Taylor Wimpey over the last nine years as Chair. Under Kevin's stewardship and leadership, the Company sold its North American business, returned to the FTSE 100 and also introduced its customer centric strategy - the Board is extremely grateful to him for all of his invaluable strategic counsel and guidance. We wish him all the very best for the future.  

Following a comprehensive recruitment process, I am delighted to announce the appointment of Irene Dorner, who will succeed Kevin as Chair in February 2020. The Company will benefit from her strong leadership skills and commercial experience which she has gained during her time at HSBC and also through her various non executive roles. It will be a great pleasure for us all to welcome Irene to Taylor Wimpey and we look forward to working with her."

Kevin Beeston, Chair, said "It has been both an honour and a pleasure to serve as Taylor Wimpey's Chair. After what will be a little over nine years it's the right time for me to step down with the business in great shape and with a clear strategy, strong leadership team and sound platform in place to continue to take Taylor Wimpey forward. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of my Board colleagues, the Group Management Team and all of our employees across the whole business for their dedication, loyalty and hard work which has underpinned our success. I will of course continue to be fully involved and committed to the business until I stand down next February and I also look forward to welcoming Irene."

Irene Dorner said "It is an immense privilege to be asked to serve as Chair of Taylor Wimpey and I am delighted to accept this role. I very much look forward to joining the Board and to working with the wider team in order to continue the strategy of delivering significant value to shareholders, customers and other stakeholders."

As well as her role as a non executive Director and Chair Designate, Irene will also serve on the Nomination Committee (which she will Chair in due course), and the Remuneration Committee of the Board.

This announcement is made in accordance with Listing Rule 9.6.11.

There are no further disclosures to be made pursuant to Listing Rule 9.6.13 in respect of Irene Dorner's appointment.

-ends-

03 July 2019

For further information please contact:

Taylor Wimpey plc                                                                              Tel: [phone] 

James Jordan, Group Legal Director and Company Secretary

Debbie Archibald, Investor Relations

Finsbury                                                                                                 Tel: [phone]

Faeth Birch

Anjali Unnikrishnan

 

END

 

 

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