THE FORMER chief financial officer of International Power has taken the chairman role at Imperial Tobacco.
The listed tobacco company announced that Iain Napier is to retire after six years in the role. He is succeeded by deputy chairman and non-executive director Mark Williamson (pictured).
Williamson was CFO of International Power until its acquisition by French energy company GDF Suez in June 2012. He continues to draw on that experience in his current role as non-executive director at National Grid, as well as the same title at chemicals and engineering business Alent.
Prior to the CFO role, Williamson was group chief accountant and latterly group financial controller at marketing and communications company Simon.
On behalf of the nominations committee of Imperial Tobacco, non-executive Michael Herlihy said: “Mark’s extensive experience has been a great asset to the group since he became a non-executive director in 2007 and we are delighted that he has agreed to succeed Iain as chairman.
“I would also like to thank Iain for his tremendous leadership and guidance since becoming chairman in 2007 and for his contribution to the development of the company since his appointment as a non-executive director in 2000.”