SABMiller appoints Rio Tinto chairman as Manser replacement

6th Aug 2014 09:10

Jan du Plessis, the chairman of mining group Rio Tinto, has been named as the chair of beverage giant SABMiller, the companies announced on Wednesday.Du Plessis, who is also on the board at retail bellwether Marks & Spencer and had previously worked as a director at British American Tobacco and Lloyds, will be appointed as independent non-executive director at SABMiller in September before succeeding current chairman John Manser in July 2015.Manser, as previously announced, had deferred his previously-expected retirement date for one year."I am delighted that Jan has agreed to join the board," Manser said. "He has not only an excellent record as a chairman of major international groups with developing markets footprints, but also a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of international consumer businesses."Du Plessis said he is "very excited about the future" of SABMiller and is "honoured" by the appointment. He will step down from the board of M&S before taking up the role of chairman at SABMiller.In a Rio Tinto statement, he also said that his new role "does not in any way diminish my strong commitment" to the miner."I have assured the board of Rio Tinto that I would like to serve as chairman for several more years, subject of course to the board and shareholders wishing me to do so."BC