Christine Hodgson appointed new Chair of Whitbread
Christine Hodgson has been named chair of Whitbread, succeeding Adam Crozier, who served in the role for seven years.
She will officially become chair of the Premier Inn owner on 1 September, with Crozier retiring from the board on the same day.
Hodgson, also chair of Severn Trent PLC, a water company, is a FTSE 100 chair with expertise in technology, sustainability, and finance.
Her previous roles include executive chair of Capgemini UK PLC, senior independent director at Standard Chartered, and chair of the private consulting firm Newton.
“It is an honour to be appointed chair of Whitbread. Whitbread is a business with strong brands, an experienced leadership team and 34,000 committed team members across the organisation. It’s an exciting time to be joining, as the company continues to deliver on its Five-Year Plan, and Premier Inn’s expansion in Germany gathers pace. I look forward to leading the Board and working alongside the talented teams as we unlock the Group’s full potential.” said Hodgson.
Richard Gillingwater, senior independent director, who led the selection process, added: “We have conducted a thorough process, and it was evident that Christine will be an outstanding successor to Adam. Christine’s experience working with high-profile consumer and technology businesses will be hugely valuable over the coming years. On behalf of the whole board, I would like to thank Adam for his guidance, wisdom, enthusiasm and commitment, steering the company through a period of significant change to create sustainable value for shareholders.”
“It has been a privilege to lead the Whitbread board through this period of growth and change. I’m proud that as I leave the business, we are on course for Premier Inn to become Europe’s number one budget hotel business. I want to thank my colleagues on the board, and the whole Whitbread team, for their support during my time as chair, and wish Christine and everyone in the business every success in the future.” Crozier commented.
This follows the budget hotel brand’s report of a 1% decline in group revenue for the 52 weeks ending 27 February 2025, due to restaurant closures and rising cost pressures.
She will officially become chair of the Premier Inn owner on 1 September, with Crozier retiring from the board on the same day.
Hodgson, also chair of Severn Trent PLC, a water company, is a FTSE 100 chair with expertise in technology, sustainability, and finance.
Her previous roles include executive chair of Capgemini UK PLC, senior independent director at Standard Chartered, and chair of the private consulting firm Newton.
“It is an honour to be appointed chair of Whitbread. Whitbread is a business with strong brands, an experienced leadership team and 34,000 committed team members across the organisation. It’s an exciting time to be joining, as the company continues to deliver on its Five-Year Plan, and Premier Inn’s expansion in Germany gathers pace. I look forward to leading the Board and working alongside the talented teams as we unlock the Group’s full potential.” said Hodgson.
Richard Gillingwater, senior independent director, who led the selection process, added: “We have conducted a thorough process, and it was evident that Christine will be an outstanding successor to Adam. Christine’s experience working with high-profile consumer and technology businesses will be hugely valuable over the coming years. On behalf of the whole board, I would like to thank Adam for his guidance, wisdom, enthusiasm and commitment, steering the company through a period of significant change to create sustainable value for shareholders.”
“It has been a privilege to lead the Whitbread board through this period of growth and change. I’m proud that as I leave the business, we are on course for Premier Inn to become Europe’s number one budget hotel business. I want to thank my colleagues on the board, and the whole Whitbread team, for their support during my time as chair, and wish Christine and everyone in the business every success in the future.” Crozier commented.
This follows the budget hotel brand’s report of a 1% decline in group revenue for the 52 weeks ending 27 February 2025, due to restaurant closures and rising cost pressures.
30/May/2025 10:51