Paris-based electrical distributor Rexel announced that Rudy Provoost will be stepping down as chairman of the board and CEO on June 30.
Provoost was asked to resign due to disagreements with the board on implementing the group’s strategy and a new governance structure that will split the duties of chairman and CEO.
Patrick Berard has been appointed as Rexel’s new CEO, effective July 1. François Henrot, currently deputy-chairman and senior independent director, has been nominated as interim chairman.
Rexel will also co-opt Ian Meakins, current CEO of Wolseley plc, as an independent director in replacement of Rudy Provoost. Meakins will join the board on July 1 and become non-executive chairman of the board on October 1. He had previously announced his intentions to retire from his position with Wolseley in August.