Whitbread PLC has announced the appointment of Christine Hodgson as chair. She will replace Adam Crozier, who is to step down as chair and retire from the board on 1 September 2025.

Hodgson, who is also chair of water supply company Severn Trent PLC and consultancy Newton, has held senior roles across the technology and consumer-facing sectors, working with multiple high-growth international companies. She served as the senior independent director of Standard Chartered Plc until 2023.

In her executive career, Hodgson held a number of roles at Capgemini, the global technology and professional services groups, including CFO of the global outsourcing business, CEO of technology services in north west Europe, and executive chair of Capgemini UK Plc from 2011 to 2020. She also served on the Capgemini Group executive committee and was the global head of corporate social responsibility.

Richard Gillingwater, senior independent director, who led the selection process, said, “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.”