Capita appoint ex-PwC chairman as non-exec director

PWC’s former chairman and senior partner Ian Powell has been appointed as the next non-executive chairman of FTSE 100 outsourcing firm Capita, marking his first new role since leaving the Big Four firm.

In April, it was announced that Kevin Ellis, the firm’s managing partner, would succeed Powell as chairman and senior partner in the UK and Middle East for a four year term, with effect from 1 July 2016.

Powell served the maximum two four year terms as chairman and senior partner with a career spanning 39 years with the firm. During his time as chairman, PwC’s fee income hit record levels, and was a keen advocate of increasing the number of female partners at the firm.

Martin Bolland, who announced his intention to stand down as non-executive chairman in February, will step down after six years in the role and eight years as a non-executive director on 31 December 2016.

Commenting on the announcement, Bolland said that Powel’’s previous commercial experience and leadership skills “will be of enormous benefit to Capita”.

“Ian’s background of delivering growth in a highly competitive environment across a diverse and innovative organisation makes him ideally suited to Capita. I am delighted to welcome Ian to the Board and look forward to working closely with him as I handover to him in the coming months.”

Powell said: “Capita’s focus on helping clients transform and evolve their operations has real relevance in the current rapidly shifting commercial, societal and political environments. I look forward to drawing on my leadership and commercial experience at PwC to support the board to grow Capita further.”