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Kate Swann (left) takes over the CEO role from Andrew Lynch | |
UK/INTERNATIONAL. Leading food & beverage concessionaire SSP has named Kate Swann as Chief Executive Officer effective from 4 September. She succeeds Andrew Lynch who will stand down after nine years in the role.
Swann has had a 23-year career in the retail industry, in which she is best-known for her time as CEO of WHSmith. She spent ten years there, leaving on 1 July.
Swann said: “I am delighted to be joining SSP and look forward to working with the team as we continue to grow the business and deliver for our customers.”
Andrew Lynch said: “I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to lead SSP for a long and exciting period and I am proud to leave it in good shape, with a strong track record of sales and profit growth, an exciting pipeline, and an excellent management team.”
He also told The Moodie Report: “I have been with the business, through various ownership changes, since 1989 and have had the privilege of being its Chief Executive Officer for the last nine years. I am now keen to pursue new ventures and I am sure the business will benefit from the “˜fresh eyes’ of a new Chief Executive Officer.
“It is with mixed emotions that I write as SSP has been such an important and fulfilling part of my life for so long. However I am very excited to have the opportunity to explore new ventures at a time when I have a keen appetite to do so.”
Lynch will remain an advisor to SSP owner, private equity group EQT.
SSP Chairman Vagn Soerensen said: “Andrew has done a great job in building SSP into an international market leader in its sector. The strength of both the management team and brand portfolio leaves the business very well-positioned for further growth. We wish him every success in the future. I very much look forward to working with Kate to continue developing SSP in the years to come. SSP will benefit from Kate’s vast retail experience from WHSmith in accelerating growth and working with business partners, while continuously improving the customer experience.”
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Kate Swann’s leadership drove new travel retail concepts such as London News Company, a makeover of the WHSmith brand, pictured here at London Gatwick Airport |
