Bovis Homes, Direct Line and Pandora change guard at the top
THERE was a changing of the guard yesterday as three high profile City figures made their move at Pandora Bovis Homes and Direct Line.
The Danish jewellery designer announced that Allan Leighton would be stepping down as chief executive after a year at the helm. Anders Colding Friis, the chief of Scandinavian Tobacco Group, will succeed him in March next year.
Bovis has hired Tui Travel’s Dr Christine Browne as a non-executive director while Direct Line said Dixons Carphone boss Sebastian James had joined its non-executive board.
Sebastian James, chief executive of Dixons Carphone, has been appointed to the board of Direct Line as a non-executive director. Chairman of the insurer Mike Biggs welcomed James’ knowledge of digital retail.
Shares at Pandora have almost doubled during Allan Leighton’s one year tenure as chief executive. The ex-Asda and Royal Mail boss is also chairman of Peppa Pig owner Entertainment One.
Bovis has recruited Tui Travel’s aviation chief operating officer, Dr Christine Browne OBE, to its board. She has more than 25 years experience in travel and oversaw the tie-up of Thomsonfly and First Choice in 2007.