Carillion chairman to step down
ROAD and rail contractor Carillion is looking for a new chairman after Sir Neville Simms, who has been with the company for 35 years, said he would be stepping down from the post.
The group is also looking to freshen up its all-male board and bring in new non-executives. Simms told shareholders at today's annual meeting that he expects to depart by next year's annual meeting at the latest, when he will be 60.
He joined Carillion's predecessor Tarmac in 1970, was appointed chief executive in 1992 and has been chairman of Carillion since the demerger five years ago.
It is understood, however, that Simms does not yet intend to stand down as chairman of the larger International Power.
He told the meeting that the board was 'reviewing its independent director structure'. It currently has three non-executives aged between 56 and 66. All have been on the board since demerger or just after.
