7th May 2025 09:29
(Alliance News) - Rentokil Initial PLC on Wednesday said Andy Ransom will step down as chief executive next year.
Ransom has been with the Crawley, England-based pest control and hygiene firm for 17 years, 12 of them as CEO.
"Both the board and Andy agree that the time is right and the search for a successor is already underway," Rentokil said in a statement.
Chair Richard Solomons said Ransom has "created a global leader in Pest Control and the board thanks him for his outstanding contribution".
He said Rentokil has "exceptional long term growth prospects but short term our priority is on turning around the underperforming North American business".
"Andy is very focused on this task and will ensure a smooth handover when a new chief executive is appointed," Solomons added.
Ransom will retire by the time of the 2026 annual general meeting. Its 2025 AGM is on Wednesday.
In addition, Rentokil announced the appointment of two new non-executive directors, effective June 1.
Leanne Sheraton, former chief marketing officer for PayPal Holdings Inc, and Sam Mitchell, former CEO of Valvoline, will join the board.
Linda Yueh and Sarosh Mistry are to step down.
"These appointments will strengthen the board by adding recent leadership experience in North American multi-site business-to-business and business-to-consumer companies, as well as adding deep expertise in brand building, consumer marketing and digital customer acquisition," Rentokil said.
Last September, activist investor Trian Fund Management LP, an investment management firm run by Nelson Peltz, secured a place on the Rentokil board.
In January, Brad Paulsen stepped down as CEO of the firm's North America business, while last November Stuart Ingall-Tombs retired as chief financial officer, after 17 years at the firm.
Shares in Rentokil were down 1.5% at 356.00 pence each in London on Wednesday morning.
By Jeremy Cutler, Alliance News reporter
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