| For Immediate Release | 8th February 2018 |
Swire Pacific announces today the appointment of Mr. Merlin Swire as Chairman of Swire Pacific, with effect from 1st July 2018, succeeding Mr. John Slosar. Mr. Swire will also become Chairman of Swire Properties Limited and Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company Limited (HAECO) in place of Mr. Slosar. Mr. Slosar will remain as Chairman of Cathay Pacific Airways Limited, but will otherwise retire from the Swire group.
Mr. Swire joined the Swire group in 1997, and has worked in Hong Kong, Sydney, Shanghai, Xiamen and London. He worked in Mainland China as Shanghai General Manager of The Coca-Cola Company and as Chief Executive Officer of HAECO Xiamen. He returned to London as Finance Director of John Swire & Sons (JS&S) in 2008, and became its CEO in 2015. Mr. Swire will relinquish his role as CEO of JS&S before he becomes Chairman of Swire Pacific. He has been on the Board of Swire Pacific for nearly ten years.
Of his appointment Mr. Swire said, "This move back to Hong Kong reflects how important Hong Kong is to the group's business and reaffirms the Swire family's long term commitment to Swire Pacific at a time of rapid change and exciting growth opportunities."
"After 20 years in the business I am delighted to be returning to Asia as Chairman of Swire Pacific during such a dynamic time in the development of China and the region."
Commenting on Mr. Swire's appointment, Mr. Slosar added, "Merlin's appointment continues Swire's longstanding practice of appointing leaders from within the group. He is highly experienced, having worked at operational and board levels in a wide range of our businesses - he is more than ready to take on his new role. As Chairman, he will deepen our key relationships in the region and will lead the group in its next chapter of growth. Our future is in good hands."
Mr. Slosar has been with the Swire group for approaching 38 years. Before becoming Chairman of Swire Pacific in 2014, he was Chief Executive of Cathay Pacific. His other senior roles included being Managing Director of HAECO and Managing Director of Swire Beverages. He will remain as Chairman and a Director of Cathay Pacific to help see the airline through its three-year transformation programme.
"Being the Chairman of Swire Pacific has been a singular honour for me. How lucky to have been based in Hong Kong leading a world class organisation with great people, a great working culture and great prospects. I wish to thank all my colleagues and friends in the group for their unwavering support and I look forward to continuing my work with the Cathay Pacific team." said Mr. Slosar.
Mr. Swire concluded, "I personally would like to add my thanks to John for his leadership and his immense contribution to the development of Swire Pacific over his career. John leaves Swire Pacific in very good shape, and I look forward to building on our position for the future."
Biography of Mr. Merlin Swire can be found in the attachment.
For more information, please visit Swire Pacific's website at www.swirepacific.com
Attachment:
Born in 1973 in the UK, Merlin Swire is a member of the founding family of John Swire & Sons, and is the current Chief Executive Officer of John Swire & Sons (JS&S).
He joined the Swire group in Hong Kong in 1997, and has worked in Hong Kong, Sydney, Shanghai, Xiamen and London. Mr. Swire's experience spans a wide range of businesses across the group, including in aviation (for Cathay Pacific) and shipping (for The China Navigation Company). He also worked in Mainland China, first as Shanghai General Manager of The Coca-Cola Company, and then as Chief Executive Officer of HAECO Xiamen, a subsidiary of Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company (HAECO).
Mr. Swire returned to London as Finance Director of JS&S in 2008, and became CEO in January 2015. He is a director of JS&S, Swire Pacific, Swire Properties, Cathay Pacific Airways and HAECO.
He also serves on the Advisory Committee of the China-Britain Business Council, the Committee of The Hong Kong Association in UK and the Global CEO Forum of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.
He has a first class degree in Classics from Oxford University and is married with two daughters.
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