Travel retailer WH Smith Plc appointed Leo Quinn to the role of executive chairman on Monday, with effect from 7 April.
Quinn will succeed current chair Annette Court, who will step down at the end of WH Smith's annual general meeting on 2 February but remain with the firm as a senior independent director. Simon Emeny will act as interim non-executive chairman until Quinn's start date.
Prior to joining WH Smith, Quinn most recently served as chief executive of Balfour Beatty, the UK's largest infrastructure company.
Quinn said: "WH Smith is a great business with a remarkable heritage. Working with the leadership team and our colleagues worldwide, I intend to ensure the company has the right foundations in place to deliver long‑term value for its investors, business partners and employees."
Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com