Croda International has appointed Louisa Burdett to succeed Jez Maiden as group finance director when the latter retires next year.
Burdett will join Croda on 1 January and succeed Maiden on 13 March, following Croda’s 2022 full year results at the end of February.
Burdett was recently chief financial officer (CFO) of Meggitt, the global aerospace, defence and energy component manufacturer.
She has over ten years of experience successfully leading finance functions for UK listed companies.
This includes four years as CFO of Meggitt, before it was acquired by Parker-Hannifin in September 2022, and five years as CFO of Victrex, the speciality chemicals company.
Burdett has a first-class degree in biochemistry from Imperial College London and trained as an accountant before moving into her first in-house role at GSK.
“I am delighted that we have been able to appoint Louisa as group finance director,” said Croda chairwoman Anita Frew.
“She has an exceptional ten-year track record as a CFO of listed companies, with valuable experience both in speciality chemicals and the broader manufacturing sector. We look forward to welcoming Louisa to Croda in the New Year,” she added.
Maiden will step down from the Croda board at the British firm’s annual general meeting on 26 April and retire from the company on 31 May.
He led the creation of Croda’s sustainability metrics, as well as its approach to capital allocation, which has underpinned shareholder value creation by enabling investment in organic growth, targeted acquisitions and strong returns.
He also co-led the successful separation of the majority of Croda’s Performance Technology and Industrial Chemicals businesses, accelerating the Company’s transition to be a pure-play Consumer Care and Life Sciences business.
“On behalf of the board and all my Croda colleagues, I would like to thank Jez for his outstanding contribution over the last eight years,” said Frew.
“He has been instrumental in the development and growth of Croda, always nurturing a culture of transformation. I have hugely appreciated his diligence, intellect and thoughtful approach, particularly his contribution to board debate, and wish him the very best wishes for the future.”
