London – 4 January 2018 –
Britain’s Whitbread, owner of Costa Coffee and Premier Inn, appoints as chairman Adam Crozier, a former chief executive of broadcaster ITV and Royal Mail.
He will replace Richard Baker, who will retire at the end of February, Reuters reported.
Crozier joined Whitbread’s board last April and became senior independent director in September.
He was credited with restoring ITV’s fortunes by reducing its reliance on advertising and expanding its production business.
He also spent seven years at Royal Mail where he set about restructuring the postal business in the face of opposition from unions. Prior to that he led the English Football Association.
Whitbread, which has been the subject of break-up speculation in the past, warned in April of a tougher consumer environment, as rising inflation and muted wage growth weighed
on consumer spending.
Last month, US-based hedge fund Sachem Head Capital Management declared a 3.4 percent stake in the British hotel and coffee chain operator.