# Croda International’s Group Finance Director to retire

- Link: https://www.directorstalkinterviews.com/croda-internationals-group-finance-director-to-retire/4121089313
- Published: 2022-11-07T07:22:07+00:00
- Author: Amilia Stone

**[Croda International Plc](https://www.directorstalkinterviews.com/ftse-company/croda-international/crdo.l)**(
LON:CRDA) has announced that Jez Maiden, Group Finance Director, has advised the
Board that he will be retiring from the Company during 2023 after eight years in
the role. The Board has appointed Louisa Burdett, until recently Chief Financial
Officer (“CFO”) of [Meggitt Plc](https://www.directorstalkinterviews.com/ftse-company/meggitt-plc/mggt.l),
the global aerospace, defence and energy component manufacturer, to succeed Jez.

Jez joined Croda in January 2015, subsequently transforming the Finance, IT and 
Digital functions, and developing a broad, diverse pool of talent. He has modernised
Croda’s processes, introduced new standards of operational excellence and financial
reporting, and closely supported the Chief Executive in the development and deployment
of Croda’s strategy. Jez led the creation of Croda’s [sustainability](https://www.directorstalkinterviews.com/sustainability-green-stocks-news)
metrics, as well as its approach to capital allocation, which has underpinned shareholder
value creation by enabling investment in organic growth, targeted acquisitions and
strong returns. He also co-led the successful separation of the majority of Croda’s
Performance Technology and Industrial Chemicals businesses, accelerating the Company’s
transition to be a pure-play Consumer Care and Life Sciences business.

Louisa has over ten years of experience successfully leading finance functions for
UK listed companies. This includes four years as CFO of Meggitt, before it was acquired
by Parker-Hannifin in September 2022, and five years as CFO of Victrex, the speciality
chemicals company. Prior to that she held CFO positions with Optos plc, Financial
Times Group, GE Healthcare, and CHEP Europe. Louisa is also Non-executive Director
and Audit Committee Chair of [RS Group Plc](https://www.directorstalkinterviews.com/ftse-company/rs-group/rs1.l),
the [FTSE 100](https://www.directorstalkinterviews.com/news/ftse-100) distributor
of industrial and electronic products. She has a first-class degree in biochemistry
from Imperial College London and trained as an accountant before moving into her
first in-house role at GSK.

To enable a smooth transition, Louisa will join Croda and the Board on 1 January
2023. She will succeed Jez as Group Finance Director on 13 March 2023, following
Croda’s 2022 Full Year results at the end of February. Jez will step down from the
Board at the Annual General Meeting on 26 April 2023 and retire from the Company
on 31 May 2023.

> **Commenting, Anita Frew, Croda International Chair said: **
> “On behalf of the Board and all my Croda colleagues, I would like to thank Jez
> for his outstanding contribution over the last eight years. He has been instrumental
> in the development and growth of Croda, always nurturing a culture of transformation.
> I have hugely appreciated his diligence, intellect and thoughtful approach, particularly
> his contribution to Board debate, and wish him the very best wishes for the future.
> “I am delighted that we have been able to appoint Louisa as Group Finance Director.
> She has an exceptional ten-year track record as a CFO of listed companies, with
> valuable experience both in speciality chemicals and the broader manufacturing
> sector. We look forward to welcoming Louisa to Croda in the New Year.”

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