BSI Appoints John Hirst CBE as Non-Executive Director and Chairman Designate

11 October 2018

The British Standards Institution today announced that John Hirst CBE will be appointed as a Non-Executive Director of BSI with effect from 15 October 2018.

From 1 January 2019, John will take over from BSI’s current Chairman, Sir David Brown, who will complete his term on 31 December 2018.  John will become a member of the Audit and Social Responsibility Committees on appointment.

Howard Kerr, Chief Executive of BSI, said: “We are delighted to appoint John Hirst as a Non-Executive Director and Chairman Designate.  An accomplished business leader, John’s experience of complex and diverse organizations will be of immense benefit as he guides BSI in its strategy to embed excellence in organizations across the globe by improving business performance and resilience.  I look forward to working with him over the coming years.  We are immensely grateful to Sir David for his contribution to the strong and sustained growth at BSI since he joined the Board in 2010.”

John Hirst said: “It will be an honour to succeed Sir David Brown, who has been an exemplary Chairman of BSI.  I am excited to join the team at BSI which is a unique organization making an important contribution to businesses in the UK and internationally.  I very much look forward to working with Howard Kerr, his Executive team and the Board.”

Prior to joining BSI, John was Chief Executive of the UK’s Met Office for seven years during which time he transformed the science-led meteorological organization to one delivering innovative and profitable commercial services globally.  Prior to that he was Chief Executive of Premier Farnell, a FTSE 250 electronics distribution company.  This followed a career in ICI where he held a number of key leadership roles.

John currently serves as the Senior Independent Director of Anglian Water Services and is a Non-Executive Director of Ultra Electronics Holdings plc and Marsh Limited.  In 2012, John was awarded a CBE and made an Honorary Doctor of Science by Exeter University.

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