Two directors to retire as Smurfit Westrock (SW) reshapes board, audit chair
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Smurfit Westrock plc reported upcoming changes to its Board of Directors. Terrell K. Crews and Lourdes Melgar have notified the company they will step down from the board effective at the conclusion of the 2026 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders, currently scheduled for May 1, 2026. At that time, the board size will be reduced to 12 directors. The company states that neither director’s decision is related to any disagreement over its operations, policies, or practices. Following their retirement, Crews will leave his roles as Chair of the Audit Committee and member of the Finance Committee, and Melgar will leave the Audit and Sustainability Committees. Carole L. Brown will succeed Crews as Chair of the Audit Committee, with additional committee succession arrangements to be implemented.
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8-K Event Classification
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Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
On February 25, 2026, Terrell K. Crews and Lourdes Melgar, members of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Smurfit Westrock plc (the “Company”), notified the Company that they will be stepping down from the Board, effective as of the conclusion of the Company’s 2026 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders, which is currently scheduled for May 1, 2026, at which time the size of the Board will be decreased to 12 directors. Neither Terrell’s nor Lourdes’s decision to resign was related to any disagreement with the Company relative to their departures or to any matters relating to the Company’s operations, policies, or practices. The Board and the Company thank Terrell and Lourdes for their service and their contributions to the Company during the formative period following the combination of Smurfit Kappa Group plc and WestRock Company.
Consequently, effective as of their board retirement, Terrell will be stepping down as Chair of the Audit Committee and as a member of the Finance Committee, and Lourdes will be stepping down as a member of the Audit and Sustainability Committees. Carole L. Brown will succeed Terrell as Chair of the Audit Committee, effective as of such time. Appropriate succession arrangements will be implemented within the relevant Board Committees.
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 hereunto duly authorized.
| Smurfit Westrock plc | ||
| /s/ Ken Bowles | ||
| Name: | Ken Bowles | |
| Title: | Executive Vice President & Group Chief Financial Officer | |
Date: February 27, 2026