Rolls-Royce names Anita Frew as new chair to succeed Ian Davis
Rolls-Royce today said that Anita Frew would succeed Ian Davis as chair, making her the first woman to chair the company.
Frew, 63, is currently chair of chemicals group Croda and a non-executive director of mining firm BHP Group.
She will take over from Davis on 1 October, when he retires after nine years in the role.
“It is an honour and privilege to join the board of Rolls-Royce and to succeed Sir Ian as chairman,” Frew said.
“I look forward to working with the board, Warren East and the leadership team to support the next stage of the group’s development.”
Following the announcement, shares in Rolls-Royce were flat as markets opened.
Rolls-Royce’s senior independent director Kevin Smith said that Frew was the clear choice to lead the group as he thanked Davis for his services.
“The company conducted a comprehensive search and Anita emerged as the outstanding candidate,” he said.
Frew joins Rolls-Royce as it seeks to recover from the pandemic after much of its income from airline customers dried up last year.
The company has been forced to cut costs, take on debt and raise equity to survive while travel has been stagnant.