Rentokil Initial names Thérèse Esperdy as new Chair
Rentokil Initial plc has appointed Thérèse Esperdy as Chair of the Board, effective 1 September 2026.
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Form Type
6-K
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Rentokil Initial plc has appointed Thérèse Esperdy as Chair of the Board, effective 1 September 2026. She will first join as a Non-Executive Director and Chair-designate on 1 July 2026, supporting an orderly transition.
Esperdy currently serves as Non-Executive Chair of Imperial Brands and holds senior roles at Smith & Nephew and Moody's, with a long executive background at JP Morgan. She will receive total fees of £725,000 per annum. Current Chair Richard Solomons, who has led the Board since 2019, will retire from the Board at midnight on 31 August 2026. The Board has determined Esperdy to be independent under the Corporate Governance Code.
Key Figures
Chair annual fees: £725,000 per annum
Employees: c.63,400 people
Countries of operation: 90 countries
+3 more
6 metrics
Chair annual fees
£725,000 per annum
Total fees for Thérèse Esperdy as Chair
Employees
c.63,400 people
Global workforce size
Countries of operation
90 countries
Geographic footprint of Rentokil Initial
Chair-designate start date
1 July 2026
Esperdy joins Board as Non-Executive Director and Chair-designate
Chair effective date
1 September 2026
Esperdy becomes Chair of the Board
Outgoing Chair retirement
31 August 2026 (midnight)
Richard Solomons retires from the Board
Key Terms
Non-Executive Director, Senior Independent Director, Corporate Governance Code, Listing Rule 6.4.8, +1 more
5 terms
Non-Executive Director financial
"She will join the Board as a Non-Executive Director and Chair-designate"
A non-executive director is a member of a company’s board who does not work for the company day-to-day but provides independent oversight, strategic guidance and checks on management. For investors, they matter because they act like an impartial referee or outside advisor, helping ensure decisions protect shareholder interests, reduce risks of poor governance, and add credibility to financial reporting and long-term strategy.
Senior Independent Director financial
"She is also the Senior Independent Director designate of Smith & Nephew plc"
A senior independent director is an experienced, independent member of a company’s board who acts as a go‑to person for shareholders, other directors, and the chair when impartial judgment or escalation is needed. Like an independent referee or ombudsman, they provide extra oversight, help resolve disputes, ensure the board listens to investor concerns, and strengthen governance—reducing the risk that management or the chair could act without adequate challenge.
Corporate Governance Code financial
"in accordance with the Corporate Governance Code"
A corporate governance code is a set of recommended rules and best practices that guide how a company’s leaders are chosen, overseen and held accountable, covering board makeup, executive pay, shareholder rights and transparency. Investors treat it like a recipe for trust: companies that follow the code are more likely to manage risks, provide reliable information and treat owners fairly, which can influence confidence, risk and long‑term returns.
Listing Rule 6.4.8 regulatory
"There are no additional details to disclose under Listing Rule 6.4.8"
Nomination Committee financial
"She will succeed Richard Solomons as Chair of the Nomination Committee"
A nomination committee is a small group of board members that screens, selects and recommends people to serve on a company’s board of directors and oversees succession planning for top executives. Think of it as a hiring panel for the board that checks skills, independence and fit so the leadership mix supports the company’s goals. Investors care because the committee shapes who sets strategy, manages risk and protects shareholder interests.
FAQ
AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
What change in leadership did Rentokil Initial (RTO) announce?
Rentokil Initial appointed Thérèse Esperdy as Chair of the Board, effective 1 September 2026. She will join first as a Non-Executive Director and Chair-designate on 1 July 2026, succeeding current Chair Richard Solomons upon his retirement.
When will Richard Solomons step down as Rentokil Initial (RTO) Chair?
Richard Solomons will retire from the Rentokil Initial Board with effect from midnight on 31 August 2026. He has served as Chair since 2019 and describes 2026 as the right time to step down following leadership changes and strategic progress.
What is Thérèse Esperdy’s background before joining Rentokil Initial (RTO)?
Thérèse Esperdy is Non-Executive Chair of Imperial Brands, Senior Independent Director designate of Smith & Nephew, and a Non-Executive Director of Moody’s. Previously, she held senior roles at JP Morgan, including Global Chair of the Financial Institutions Group and Global Head of Debt Capital Markets.
How much will the new Rentokil Initial (RTO) Chair be paid?
Thérèse Esperdy will receive total fees of £725,000 per annum as Chair. This compensation reflects her role leading the Board and chairing the Nomination Committee, alongside her responsibilities overseeing governance at a global pest control and hygiene services group.
Is Thérèse Esperdy considered independent on the Rentokil Initial (RTO) Board?
Yes. The Board determined that Thérèse Esperdy is an independent Non-Executive Director on appointment, in line with the Corporate Governance Code. She will also become Chair of the Nomination Committee on 1 September 2026, reinforcing her formal governance responsibilities.
How large is Rentokil Initial (RTO) and what does it do?
Rentokil Initial is described as a global leader in pest control and Hygiene & Wellbeing services. It employs approximately 63,400 people across 90 countries, highlighting its broad international footprint and scale within essential service markets worldwide.
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
___________________
FORM 6-K
__________________
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For
the month of April 2026
Commission File Number: 001-41524
___________________________________
Rentokil Initial plc
(Registrant’s name)
___________________________________
Compass House
Manor Royal
Crawley
West Sussex RH10 9PY
United Kingdom
(Address of principal executive office)
_____________________________________
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F ☒ Form
40-F ☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is
submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T
Rule 101(b)(1): ☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is
submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T
Rule 101(b)(7): ☐
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Directorate
Change dated 15 April 2026
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15 April, 2026
Rentokil Initial plc appoints Thérèse Esperdy as
Chair
Rentokil
Initial plc (LSE: RTO, NYSE: RTO) ("the Company") today announces
the appointment of Thérèse Esperdy as Chair of the Board
commencing 1 September 2026. She will join the Board as a
Non-Executive Director and Chair-designate on 1 July
2026.
This
appointment follows the announcement on 5 March 2026 that Richard
Solomons, who has served as the Chair of the Company since 2019,
had informed the Board of his intention to retire from the
Company.
Thérèse
is currently Non-Executive Chair of Imperial Brands plc, a position
from which she will retire following their November 2026 Board
meeting and FY 2026 results announcement, having served on the
Board since July 2016. She is also the Senior Independent Director
designate of Smith & Nephew plc and a Non-Executive Director of
Moody's Corporation. Thérèse was previously Senior
Independent Director of National Grid plc.
In
her executive career, Thérèse held senior leadership
roles with JP Morgan including Global Chair of their Financial
Institutions Group, Co-head of Asia-Pacific Corporate &
Investment Banking and Global Head of Debt Capital
Markets.
Senior Independent Director, John Pettigrew, said:
"We
are delighted to welcome Thérèse to Rentokil Initial. She
brings considerable experience to the Board from her wide-ranging
non-executive roles in international businesses based in both the
UK and the US. The Board is confident that she is the best possible
candidate to lead the Board through the exciting next phase of
Rentokil Initial's growth, working with Mike and the executive
team.
"On
behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Richard for his strong,
committed leadership and his significant contributions to the
Company over many years."
Thérèse Esperdy, incoming Chair, said:
"It's
a privilege to be appointed as Chair of the Board, and I am looking
forward to working with my new colleagues to drive the Company
forward and realise the great potential it has as a leading global
provider of pest control and hygiene services."
Richard Solomons, outgoing Chair, said:
"It
has been an immense privilege to serve as Chair of Rentokil Initial
over what has been a period of growth and transformation for the
business. With the successful appointment of Mike Duffy as CEO, and
a clear strategy developed for North American growth, 2026 is the
right time for me to step down and ensure a smooth handover to
Thérèse. I have great confidence in the future success of
Rentokil Initial - it's a high-quality business, full of
exceptional people, operating in highly resilient growth
markets."
Notes
The
Board determined that Thérèse Esperdy is an independent
Non-Executive Director on appointment in accordance with the UK
Corporate Governance Code. She will succeed Richard Solomons as
Chair of the Nomination Committee on 1 September 2026. There are no
additional details to disclose under Listing Rule 6.4.8 in respect
of the appointment. Thérèse will receive total fees of
£725,000 per annum. Richard Solomons will retire from the
Board with effect from midnight on 31 August 2026.
For further information, please contact:
Investors
/ Analysts: Heather Wood, Rentokil Initial plc, +44 7808
098793
Media:
Malcolm Padley, Rentokil Initial plc, +44 7788 978199
About Rentokil Initial plc:
Rentokil
Initial plc is a global leader in Pest Control and Hygiene &
Wellbeing services. It employs c.63,400 people in 90
countries.
www.rentokil-initial.com
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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Date:
15 April 2026
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RENTOKIL INITIAL PLC
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/s/
Rachel Canham
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Name:
Rachel Canham
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Title:
Group General Counsel and Company Secretary
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