Acuity Brands Inc. (NYSE: AYI), Atlanta, has named Neil M. Ashe as its next president and CEO, effective Jan. 31, 2020.  The Board of Directors also appointed Ashe as a member of the Board.

Ashe will take over the CEO position from Vernon J. Nagel, who will remain with the company in the newly created role of executive chairman. Ashe will also become the president of Acuity Brands replacing Richard K. Reece, who will become executive vice president of the company and president of Acuity Brands Lighting, the primary operating subsidiary of the company.  The appointment of Ashe as president and CEO of Acuity Brands culminates an orderly succession plan for certain senior leadership positions which began almost a year ago.