Ian Keith Meakins (born 31 August 1956) is a British businessman. He was the chief executive of Wolseley plc, a British multinational building materials distribution company, from 2009 to 2016. He is the chairman of Unilever since December 2023, chairman of Compass Group since December 2020, and former chairman of Rexel.
Ian Meakins | |
|---|---|
| Born | Ian Keith Meakins 31 August 1956 |
| Nationality | British |
| Alma mater | St Catharine's College, University of Cambridge |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Years active | 1977–present |
| Title | CEO, Wolseley plc |
| Term | 2009–present |
| Predecessor | Chip Hornsby |
| Successor | Incumbent |
| Children | 3 |
Early life edit
He was educated at St Catharine's College, University of Cambridge.[1]
Career edit
From 1978 to 1985, Meakins was a brand manager with Procter & Gamble, from 1985 to 1988, a senior manager with Bain & Company, and from 1988 to 1991 a Founding Partner at Kalchas Group (management consulting).[1] From 1992 to 2004, Meakins was with Diageo plc, rising to President of European Major Markets and Global Supply.[2] He was CEO of Alliance UniChem plc until its merger with Boots in July 2006. Meakins later served as chief executive of Travelex Holdings Ltd.
Meakins was CEO of Wolseley plc from 13 July 2009 to August 2016, when he was succeeded by John Martin.[3]
Meakins is also director of the Impetus Trust, and a non-executive director of Centrica plc.[4]
Meakins replaced Paul S. Walsh as chairman of Compass Group in December 2020.[5] He also chairs the board of Unilever since December 2023.[6] He was the chairman of Rexel until August 2023.[7]
Personal life edit
Meakins is married, with three children.[citation needed]
References edit
- ^ a b "Chip Hornsby steps down as Wolseley CEO - Wolseley appoints Ian Meakins as successor". Wolseley. 30 June 2009. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
- ^ "Ian K. Meakins: Executive Profile". BusinessWeek. Archived from the original on 18 January 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
- ^ Martin, Katie; Pooler, Michael (18 January 2016). "Wolseley chief executive Ian Meakins to retire". Financial Times. Retrieved 3 August 2017.
- ^ "Ian Meakins: Group Chief Executive". Wolseley. 12 September 2010. Archived from the original on 1 October 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
- ^ Murali, Kiran (18 August 2020). "Compass Group names new chairman". S&P Global.
- ^ Mulier, Thomas (28 July 2023). "Unilever Names Meakins as Next Chairman Following CEO Change". Bloomberg News.
- ^ "Unilever names Compass head as incoming chair". Morningstar. 28 July 2023.
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