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(Alliance News) - Imperial Leather soap maker PZ Cussons PLC on Thursday announced the appointment of a former Procter & Gamble Co and Kellogg Co executive as its new boss.
Jonathan Myers will take the role of CEO on May 1. He is an "experienced" executive, Manchester-headquartered consumer goods firm PZ Cussons said, and he currently is serving as chief operating officer at marketing firm Avon Products Inc.
He spent 21 years at Procter & Gamble in a number of roles, before moving to Kellogg where he served as managing director of UK & Ireland operations.
PZ Cussons Executive Chair Caroline Silver said: "Jonathan is an excellent appointment for the company as our new CEO. His wealth of experience in our product categories and of doing business in both developed and developing markets will be invaluable.
"In addition, Jonathan's track record of successful business turnarounds will serve us well as we continue to deliver on the company's strategy of Focus, Scale & Accelerate."
PZ Cussons also announced the appointment of Jeremy Townsend as a non-executive director. He is currently the chief financial officer of FTSE 100 pest control firm Rentokil Initial PLC, though he will be retiring from that role later in 2020.
Current PZ Cussons Non-Executive Director Jez Maiden will be stepping down on May 31.
Chair Silver added: "We are pleased to welcome Jeremy Townsend to the board. He has been part of a highly successful executive team at Rentokil Initial and is also an experienced non-executive director and audit chair. His appointment will further strengthen the board and he will be an able replacement for Jez Maiden as chair of the audit & risk committee when he retires later this year.
"I would also like to thank Jez for his years of service to the board and for the significant contribution which he has made to the effective operation of the audit & risk committee."
PZ Cussons shares were 0.3% lower on Thursday morning in London at a price of 162.49 pence each.
By George Collard; georgecollard@alliancenews.com
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