William Thomas is the new chairman of shipbroking giant Clarksons following a search handled by long-serving director Peter Backhouse.
Thomas - the full-time successor to James Hughes-Hallett - brings cyber security connections as well as FTSE 250 and remuneration committee experience to the post.
Backhouse said in a statement: “In addition to significant leadership and board experience, Bill will make a significant contribution with his experience of international people-intensive organisations, customer focused service industries and relationship-based transactions with major clients.
“His proven track record in technology services, will also be extremely valuable as we seek to further develop our strategy in this area to drive innovation in the industry.”
Thomas is chairman of Spirent Communications, which like Clarksons is listed on the London Stock Exchange, and privately-owned IT specialist Node4.
He also chairs the remuneration and risk committees of The Co-operative Bank, where he sits as a non-executive director on the main board.
Clarksons has seen increased resistance to executive pay in the past two years at a time the issue has become a more prominent focus for investors in London quoted companies.
A higher number of shareholders voted against the figures awarded to chief executive Andi Case and finance boss Jeff Woyda at its past two annual general meetings.
Thomas’s experience on the advisory board of cyber security specialist FireEye is also notable, given the shipbroker became a target of a mystery hacker last year.
“Clarksons is a market leader in the shipping industry with a strong financial position having delivered 15 consecutive years of dividend growth,” said Thomas, who described the offer to chair the company as a privilege.
“Clarksons has a long heritage and is led by an outstanding executive management team. Clarksons’ focus on continuing to innovate and develop new services for clients make this an exciting time to be joining the business.”
Swire veteran James Hughes-Hallett took over from the retiring Bob Benton as chairman of Clarksons in January 2015.
However, he was replaced by former UK Athletics chief Ed Warner last year as he recovered from illness.
Warner will now stepdown from the Clarksons board in what has been described as a natural rotation of directors.
Backhouse said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ed for his commitment and contribution to the Board over the last 10 years.
“His guidance, knowledge and stewardship have been invaluable during his tenure, and the board wishes him well for the future.
“I would also like to thank James for his invaluable contribution to the company in his three years as chairman.
“We are extremely pleased that he will continue to serve on the board as a Non-Executive Director given his in-depth knowledge of the industry and deep understanding of Clarksons.”
Thomas joins Case, Woyda, Blackhouse, broking and banking boss Peter Anker as well as Tim Miller, Birger Nergaard and Marie-Louise Clayton on the main Clarksons board.
Like Clarksons, Spirent Communications is a FTSE 250 company, as it Balfour Beatty, where Thomas was a director.
