Rolls-Royce announced today that James Guyette, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rolls-Royce North America, has decided to retire after 17 years with the company. He is currently an Executive Director on the Board of Rolls-Royce plc and Chairman of Rolls-Royce North America Holdings Inc. He will step down from the Rolls-Royce plc Board at the Annual General Meeting on 8 May 2015, and from his role at Rolls-Royce North America on 31 May 2015.
Chairman, Ian Davis said: "I'd like to pay tribute to the tremendous contribution Jim Guyette has made to Rolls-Royce over many years. He has helped guide the business through a period of significant expansion, especially in the North American market. His energy, good humour and commitment to our customers will be missed by us all."
Rolls-Royce also announced today that Irene Dorner has been appointed as a Non-Executive Director of the Company with effect from 27 July 2015. She will also become a member of the Nominations and Governance Committee and the Safety and Ethics Committee from the date of her appointment. Irene was CEO and President of HSBC USA until December 2014 where she was responsible for all of HSBC's operations in the USA and played a key role in strengthening the financial institution's risk processes. During a 29 year career at HSBC, she held a number of international roles including as the first woman to lead HSBC in Malaysia and launching its Islamic banking unit. She is a passionate advocate of diversity and inclusion.
In a further change, John Neill, who joined the Board in November 2008, will stand down at the AGM in May having completed six years as a Non-Executive Director.
Ian Davis said: "I'm pleased to announce that Irene Dorner will be joining the Board as Non-Executive Director. She brings a wealth of experience from international banking along with a passion for driving cultural change in large organisations. I would like to thank John Neill for his tremendous contribution to the Board and his exemplary commitment to Rolls-Royce over the last six years. He will be missed and we wish him well for the future."
