Punch names chairman-designate for Spirit

12th Apr 2011 08:01

Walker Boyd, non-executive chairman of newsagent chain WH Smith, is in line for the same job at Spirit, the managed pubs arm of Punch Taverns that is to be spun off from the heavily indebted pubs group.The 58-year old Boyd will join the Punch board with immediate effect as a non-executive director.Prior to becoming chairman of WH Smith in September 2010 Boyd was group finance director at Signet Jewellers from 1995 to June 2010. "He brings a significant amount of consumer and City experience to the team, having held senior leadership roles in both UK and US listed companies working in challenging market environments," said Punch's chief executive, Ian Dyson. "I am excited to be joining the group and by the opportunity to be chairman of Spirit following the demerger," Boyd said. "Strategic and operational progress is already being made across the business and it is well positioned for growth. I look forward to working with Spirit's management team to help develop the strategy and the execution required to deliver shareholder value," he added. ---jh