Changes at the top of listed companies

Two of the North West’s listed companies have announced changes at top.

Cheshire-based cleaning company Johnson Service Group has announced that Peter Egan, currently managing director of its Apparelmaster workwear business, is to become the parent company’s chief operating officer ahead of his forthcoming role as CEO.

His transition will take effect from April 1, 2018 allowing him time to hand over his current responsibilities.

Current chief executive Chris Sander remains flexible over the date of his retirement and, in that light, has agreed to remain with the group until the end of 2018 to ensure a smooth and effective transition to Egan within that period.

Egan, 45, joined JSG in 1998 and has been managing director of the Apparelmaster since 2014.

JSG chairman Paul Moody, chairman of JSG, said: “Peter is an enormously talented leader and this appointment recognises his significant contribution to the development of the group to date. The board is confident in his ability to lead JSG through its next stage of growth as we focus on continuing to build long-term shareholder value.”

Meanwhile, Lancashire-based polymer company Victrex has announced its group finance director Louisa Burdett is to step down in 2018.

She will work through an orderly transition with Richard Armitage, currently group finance director at Samworth Brothers, who has been appointed as her successor. Armitage will join Victrex on April 9 2018, taking over as group finance director from that date.