Barbara Jeremiah named as new Weir Group chair

Barbara Jeremiah is to succeed Charles Berry as chair of UK-based crushing, screening and washing equipment provider Weir Group.
September 7, 2021
By Liam McLoughlin
Barbara Jeremiah is the first woman to chair Weir in its 150-year history
Barbara Jeremiah is the first woman to chair Weir in its 150-year history

Berry will retire as chairman following the 2022 Annual General Meeting (AGM), having completed his full nine-year term with the board.

Jeremiah will take over as chair at the conclusion of the AGM, currently scheduled for April 2022.  She has been Weir’s senior independent director since 2020, having joined the board in 2017.  Her previous experience includes more than 30 years with Alcoa, the global aluminium producer, where she was executive vice president, corporate development and chairman’s counsel.

She also previously served as the chairwoman of Boart Longyear and as a non-executive director of Aggreko, Premier Oil and Russel Metals.

Berry commented: "It is an incredible privilege to serve as Chairman of Weir, a business where my father spent much of his career and a Group that I have had a life-long affection for. Since joining the Board in 2013, and becoming Chairman in 2014, Weir has successfully completed one of the biggest transformations in its history and is now ideally placed to prosper in the decades ahead, with a clear strategy and first-class leadership team."

Jeremiah said: "It is a privilege to be appointed chair-designate of Weir as we celebrate our 150th anniversary. I am honoured to succeed Charles who in all respects has been an exemplary leader of our board.  I look forward with great enthusiasm to continue working with Jon Stanton, the Weir team and the Board to chart our path forward as a global leader in mining technology, creating value for all of our stakeholders"

Weir chief executive Jon Stanton added: "Charles has been an outstanding chairman, providing constructive challenge and incredible support during a period of significant change for the business. His experience, wise counsel and commitment to the highest standards of corporate governance have been vital in Weir’s success. 

"I am also delighted with the appointment of Barbara Jeremiah as chair-designate and I look forward to working with her and the rest of the board as we pursue the multi-decade growth opportunities ahead of us."

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