Rolls-Royce appoints Anita Frew as new chair

Engine maker Rolls-Royce said on Wednesday that Anita Frew will succeed Sir Ian Davis as chair on 1 October.

Frew, the first woman ever to chair the company, will join the board with effect from 1 July and Davis will retire at the end of September after nearly nine years as chairman.

Frew is currently chair of science, technology and chemicals company Croda, and a non-executive director of mining group BHP. Until recently, she was the deputy chairman and senior independent director of Lloyds Banking Group and has also held chair and board roles in companies in industrial, engineering and utilities sectors.

Senior independent director Sir Kevin Smith said: "She brings a wealth of experience from two decades of board appointments both in the UK and internationally and her skills, and reputation with investors and government institutions will be invaluable to the group."

Rolls-Royce also announced the appointment of Mike Manley as a non-executive director. He will join the board with effect from 1 July and, on appointment, he will become a member of the Nominations & Governance Committee and the Science & Technology Committee.

Manley is is currently head of Americas of Stellantis and a member of their executive team. He joined Fiat Chrysler Automobiles in 2011 and has held a number of senior executive positions, including chief operating officer for both the APAC region and NAFTA regions.