Croda FD Christie to leave after nine years

CRODA INTERNATIONAL’s finance director Sean Christie plans to step down next year after nine years during which the chemical manufacturer’s revenues trebled to more than £1bn.

Christie, who is leaving the FTSE 250 business to pursue a portfolio career, will remain as group FD and on the board until April next year to allow time for his replacement to be found and an orderly transition, the company said.

“This is the right time in my career to exploit my years of experience and build a portfolio of non-executive positions,” Christie said.

Chairman Martin Flower said Christie has played a “pivotal” role at Croda, which included the acquisition and subsequent integration of Uniqema in 2006.

“He has also introduced new levels of financial and reporting rigour and driven operational excellence across the business. We are very grateful for his insight, wise counsel and hard work through such a critical period of development for Croda,” Flower said.

Croda will begin an “extensive international search” for Christie’s successor.