US spice maker McCormick has announced that its current chairman, Robert Lawless, is retiring on 25 March.

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Lawless, who retired from his position as CEO in January 2008, will not stand for re-election to the board at the company’s AGM. 


McCormick’s board of directors has appointed Alan Wilson, the company’s president and CEO, to succeed Lawless as chairman.


“This is consistent with the succession plan at the executive level that the board and I put in place over the last several years of my career with McCormick, and is also consistent with my own personal wishes,” said Lawless.


The comapny yesterday (28 January) revealed that 2008 full-year net income was down from US$230.1m in 2007 to $255.8m.

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However, the group insisted that it is “well positioned” for growth in the coming year.

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