Uber appoints two new non-executive directors in board shakeup
Uber has appointed former travel head of Acromas Susan Hooper and media entrepreneur Roger Parry as non-executive directors to its UK boards.
Hooper, who currently holds a number of non-executive roles on the boards of Wizz Air, the Department for Exiting the European Union, the Rank Group and Affinity Water, was previously the chief executive of the travel division at Acromas Group, where she oversaw businesses including Saga Travel, Titan Holidays and the AA travel division.
Parry is former BBC and ITV broadcaster and former owner of LBC and Jazz FM radio stations. he is currently also the chairman of marketing firm MSQ Partners, software company Oxford Metrics polling speciailist YouGov.
He was also previously CEO of media company Clear Channel International and accountants More Group, as well as the chair of Future Publishing, Johnston Press, Mobile Streams and Shakespeare’s Globe.
Hooper and Parry will join Laurel Powers-Freeling, whom Uber appointed in October last year as its new independent non-executive chair while it launched its fight to defend its right to operate in London.
“The new directors will provide valuable knowledge and experience to support Uber’s growing UK business which now serves more than 50,000 licensed drivers and five million riders across the UK,” the ride-hailing app said in a statement.
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General manager of Uber in the UK Tom Elvidge said: “At a time when Uber is going through an important period of change we’re really pleased two such experienced individuals are joining us. Under our new leadership we’re implementing major changes including more safety features, improvements for drivers and a new approach to partnering with cities. Susan and Roger’s wide range of experience will be invaluable as we continue to develop and mature as a business.”
Powers-Freeling added: “I’m delighted to be joined on the Uber UK boards by Susan Hooper and Roger Parry. It’s testament to Uber’s willingness to address past issues and follow the path of good governance that two individuals of their calibre have decided to work with us. With their combined experience in transportation, working constructively with cities and delivering for consumers, we strengthen our ability to understand and address the needs of all our stakeholders.”
Uber is currently making a series of changes to its service while the battle to retain its licence continues. Last month the company changed its app in London to make clear to passengers that all bookings are accepted by Uber London and not individual drivers, following criticism from Transport for London (TfL).
It also started reporting serious incidents to the Metropolitan police, introduced and 24/7 support hotline and dropped its opposition to TfL’s plans to introduce English language tests for drivers, in the first sign of a softening in relations between the two sides.
Read more: Uber revamps its London app to reassure passengers drivers are TfL-licensed