Stobart appoints new chairman
STOBART Group has appointed a new chairman following the retirement of Rodney Baker-Bates.
Mr Baker-Bates has been non-executive chairman at the Warrington group since 2007. He’ll step down in March.
His replacement is Avril Palmer-Baunack, who is already deputy chief executive following the group’s June acquisition of her Northampton vehicle transport business Autologic for £12.4m. She will hold the position in an executive capacity.
Non-executive director David Beever will also depart after two years to focus on other business interests.
Chief executive Andrew Tinkler said: “Rodney has been an outstanding chairman through a period of significant change and development for the group. As a highly experienced public company chairman he has served with great steadiness and distinction. He retires from the board with our gratitude and very best wishes. The board also thanks David Beever for his contribution to the board’s deliberations.
“To meet the challenges and opportunities within our strategy the board now believes it is appropriate that Stobart is headed by an executive chairman. In the relatively short time that she has been with the group, Avril has demonstrated to the board that she is the right person to carry out this demanding role. We look forward to supporting her leadership and I personally look forward to continuing to work with Avril to deliver the inherent value of our business.”
Last week Stobart said it would axe its chilled goods operation after a period of tough trading that is expected to push full-year figures below market targets.
