Susan Noble appointed chairman of British Empire Trust

British Empire Trust announced on Monday that Susan Noble, currently a non-executive director of the company since March 2012, would become Chairman following the forthcoming annual general meeting on 20 December.

The AIM-traded company confirmed Noble was succeeding Strone Macpherson, who has been chairman since December 2007 and a non-executive director of the company since December 2002.

It said Noble has held a number of senior roles in investment management, including chairman of Alliance Trust Investments and a non-executive director of Alliance Trust.

She was currently chairman of Newton Investment Management and an associate director at Manchester Square Partners.

Noble was previously a managing director of Goldman Sachs Asset Management and head of European and global equities and, prior to that, a director and senior European portfolio manager at Robert Fleming Asset Management.

“As part of a continuing process of refreshing the board, the nomination committee led by the senior independent director has conducted - with the assistance of executive search consultants - an extensive review both of the chairman role and of the appointment of additional non-executive directors,” British Empire Trust’s board explained.

“This process resulted in the appointment of Calum Thomson as chair of the audit committee in May … and the changes announced today.

“The appointment of a further non-executive director will be announced in due course.”