Anne spent over 25 years at BP Plc where she held a series of roles, including Chief Financial Officer of its Aviation Fuels business.  She has extensive experience of global business, developing markets and internal control, as well as strategy development in BP’s aviation, petrochemicals, trading and retail sectors.

Anne is also a Non-Executive Director of Interserve, the international support services and construction company; SThree, a global staffing organisation providing specialist recruitment services in the STEM industries; and Nyrstar, a global multi-metals business, with a market leading position in zinc and lead.  She is also a Trustee of Save the Children.

Mike Clasper, Chairman, Coats, said: ‘I am delighted that Anne will be joining the Coats Board.  She is a very experienced Non-Executive Director with in-depth knowledge of the full range of audit matters and internal controls, as well as wider strategy development.  I look forward to working with her.’

Anne started her career with KPMG Ireland before moving to KPMG Australia.  She is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland and has a Bachelor of Commerce in Economics, Accounting and Business from University College Galway, Ireland.

Ruth Anderson, Non-Executive Director and currently Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee, will not be standing for re-election as a Director at the 2018 AGM, to be held on Wednesday 16 May 2018.  Anne will become Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee on that date.

Mike Clasper said: ‘I would like to thank Ruth for her insightful guidance and contribution to the Board over a number of years.  Ruth has played a key part in steering significant change both to the Audit and Risk Committee, and also to the broader Group, as we restructured the Guinness Peat Group and Coats plc Boards, transitioned from an investment holding company to a UK headquartered manufacturing business, acquired several companies and entered the FTSE 250.  I have greatly appreciated Ruth’s support and wisdom on this very exciting transformation of Coats.’