Anita Frew

Anita Frew is a prominent British business executive renowned for her leadership in the FTSE 100 and chemical industry. She has served as the Chair of Rolls-Royce Holdings since 2021 and previously chaired Croda International from 2014 to 2021. Frew's career spans decades in senior roles across major plc boards, earning her recognition as one of the United Kingdom's most influential figures in corporate governance and engineering.

Early life and education

Anita Frew was born in 1955 in Glasgow, Scotland. She pursued her higher education at the University of Strathclyde, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry and pharmacology. Her academic background in the sciences provided a foundational understanding that would later prove instrumental in her leadership within technology-driven sectors. Following her graduation, Frew began her professional journey in the financial services sector, initially working in corporate finance in London.

Career

Frew's early career was shaped in the world of investment banking, where she worked for firms such as Lazard and Robert Fleming & Co.. She transitioned into mainstream corporate leadership, taking on her first plc board role at Victrex, a polymers manufacturer, in 2002. Her executive profile grew significantly with her appointment to the board of BBA Aviation in 2004, where she later served as Senior Independent Director. Frew joined the board of Croda International in 2005, initially as a Non-executive director, and her strategic oversight helped guide the specialty chemicals company through a period of substantial international growth. Her deep experience in chemicals, aerospace, and industrial manufacturing made her a sought-after director for several FTSE 250 and FTSE 100 companies.

Chairmanships and directorships

Anita Frew's ascent to the pinnacle of British corporate leadership is marked by several key chairmanships. She served as the Chair of Croda International from 2014 to 2021, presiding over its expansion and strong performance on the London Stock Exchange. Concurrently, she held the role of Senior Independent Director at Lloyd's of London and served on the board of Johnson Matthey. In a landmark appointment, Frew was named Chair of Rolls-Royce Holdings in 2021, succeeding Sir Ian Davis. This role at the renowned aero-engine and power systems company placed her at the helm of one of the United Kingdom's most critical engineering and defense businesses. She has also served as a Non-executive director for Rexam and was Deputy Chair of BEIS's Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee Business Investment Council.

Honours and recognition

Throughout her career, Anita Frew has received significant accolades for her contributions to business and industry. She has been consistently ranked among the most powerful women in UK business by publications like Financial Times and BBC. In 2017, she was awarded a Fellowship of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (FRSE), recognizing her influence in Scottish public life. Frew was also appointed a Deputy Lieutenant for East Riding of Yorkshire in 2019. Her leadership at Croda International was recognized with several corporate governance awards, and her role in steering Rolls-Royce Holdings through a complex period has been widely noted in financial media, including Bloomberg News and Reuters.

Personal life

Anita Frew maintains a relatively private personal life. She is married and has two children. Outside of her corporate responsibilities, she is known to be an advocate for STEM education and greater diversity in boardrooms. Frew is also involved with several charitable organizations, with reported interests in supporting educational initiatives in Yorkshire and Scotland. She splits her time between London and Yorkshire, where she has long been based.

Category:1955 births Category:British business executives Category:Alumni of the University of Strathclyde Category:People from Glasgow Category:Chairs of Rolls-Royce Category:Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh Category:Living people