SSP, the travel concessions operator, has named former Punch Taverns chief executive Ian Dyson and Denis Hennequin, former European president and chief executive at McDonald’s Corporation, among three appointments to its board as it reportedly prepares for flotation.
Dyson, currently a non-executive director at Punch, is to be chairman of the Audit Committee.
John Barton, chairman of EasyJet and Next, will be chairman of the Remuneration Committee. He has previously sat on the boards of Cable & Wireless, Hammerson plc, Brit Insurance Holdings and WH Smith.
Denis Hennequin has also joined the board. Hennequin previously was chairman and chief executive of international hotel group Accor and European president and chief executive at McDonald’s Corporation.
SSP is understood to be seeking assistance from financial advisors Lazard and Goldman Sachs to take the company public in what could be a $2bn flotation.
Vagn Sørensen, Chairman of SSP, said: “John, Ian and Denis have substantial experience of leading global organisations across the leisure, travel and retail sectors. We are delighted to welcome them to the board of SSP and look forward to benefitting from their considerable collective skills, wisdom and expertise.”
SSP appointed a new chief executive, Simon Smith, at the beginning of April 2014.
