Former ITV boss to become chairman of Costa Coffee owner
FORMER ITV boss Adam Crozier is to become chairman of Costa Coffee and Premier Inn owner Whitbread.
It comes after the company announced that incumbent Richard Baker would retire at the end of February after nine years on the board.
Mr Crozier left the ITV chief executive position at the end of June after a seven-year stint where he was widely credited with turning around the broadcaster’s fortunes.
He is being replaced by easyJet boss Carolyn McCall, who becomes the first female chief executive of the broadcaster.
Currently serving as a senior independent director at Whitbread, Mr Crozier has also served as chief executive of Saatchi & Saatchi, the Football Association and Royal Mail.
On announcing his departure from the broadcaster earlier this year, Mr Crozier said he planned to “build a portfolio of roles” across the private sector and in November was installed chairman of theatre owner Stage Entertainment.
He said of his latest role: “Whitbread has two great brands in Premier Inn and Costa, with 50,000 colleagues delivering terrific customer service every day.
“We have a very strong management team and an exciting plan to continue to deliver growth in our core UK businesses, whilst developing our international business through growth in Germany, China and Costa Express.
“I am delighted to become chairman of Whitbread and to help steer the company through the next chapter of its long history.”