easyJet plc today announced that from 1 May 2013 John Barton is to join the easyJet Board as a non-executive director and will take over from Sir Mike Rake as the company’s non-executive Chairman. Sir Mike will stand down from the Board on the same date. John Barton is also Chairman of Next plc and Catlin Group Limited, the international insurance underwriters.
The easyJet Board’s Nominations Committee led the recruitment process on behalf of the Board. The Committee’s Chairman, David Bennett, commented on the appointment:
“We are extremely pleased to have recruited a new chairman of John Barton’s calibre. John brings a wealth of plc board experience and valuable commercial expertise to easyJet. He has chaired major quoted companies for over 16 years, has sound financial expertise and great understanding of high profile, competitive consumer markets from his time at Next.
“On behalf of the Board I would also like to repeat our thanks to Sir Mike for the significant contribution he has made to easyJet as Chairman over the last three years and to wish him well in the future.”
John Barton gave his reaction to the news: “I am looking forward to becoming the Chairman of easyJet. easyJet has clearly established itself as one of Europe’s leading airlines and one of Britain’s most successful and dynamic companies. My aim will be to ensure that the management team of easyJet can continue to deliver profitable growth and market leading returns. I look forward to working with easyJet's people.”
On 28 January Sir Mike announced on his intention to stand down from the easyJet Board having steered the company through three years of success and profitable growth. The company became a member of the FTSE 100 on 18 March 2013.
Sir Mike said: "It has been a great experience to chair easyJet for the last three years and most particularly to see the strong management team and board in place, implementing a strategy that is clearly working. John Barton will make an excellent chairman for the next stage of easyJet's development."
John Barton’s appointment by easyJet will be on the same terms as Sir Mike Rake.
