Croda appoints Danuta Gray as new chair

Chemicals group Croda International has appointed the chair of Direct Line as the successor to Anita Frew, who has been at the helm of the board since 2014.

Danuta Gray, who is also currently a non-exec at Burberry and has held board positions across a range of FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 companies over the past two decades, will join the board as a non-exec and chair designate in February 2024.

Gray will officially take over from Frew at Croda's AGM in April 2024.

"I am delighted that the comprehensive search process for our next chair has resulted in the appointment of Danuta," said Croda's senior independent director Jacqui Ferguson.

"Danuta is a highly experienced Non-Executive Director and Chair with a deep understanding of growing consumer focused and high technology businesses in international markets. She has served on the Boards of a variety of listed companies and her depth of Boardroom experience and strong understanding of UK governance will be of enormous benefit to Croda.

Gray has previously worked as chair of St Modwen Property and has been a non-exec on the boards of Aldermore Bank, Old Mutual, Page Group, Paddy Power and Aer Lingus, as well as a non-exec member of the Defence Board of the UK Ministry of Defence.