Andy Cosslett | |
---|---|
Born | Andrew Peter Cosslett 14 April 1955
Whalley Range,
Manchester, England |
Education | University of Manchester |
Occupation | Businessman |
Known for | Chairman, Rugby Football Union |
Title | Chairman, Kingfisher plc |
Term | June 2017- |
Spouse | Married |
Children | 2 |
Andrew Peter Cosslett, CBE (born 14 April 1955) is a British businessman and chairman of the Rugby Football Union, [1] and Kingfisher plc.
He is also an operating partner at Advent International, [2] and a trustee of Shooting Star Chase, [3] a children's hospice charity. Previously he was the CEO of InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), and was succeeded by Richard Solomons. [4]
Andrew Peter Cosslett was born in April 1955 [5] in Whalley Range, Manchester and grew up in Withington. [6] He earned a bachelor's degree in economics and a master's degree in European Studies from the University of Manchester. [7]
Cosslet began his business career in 1979 as a graduate trainee selling Wall's ice cream and spent 11 years with Unilever becoming a marketing director, before joining Cadbury Schweppes [8] in 1990. He then spent 14 years at Cadbury Schweppes in a number of senior roles, including chairman, Cadbury Schweppes Australia; CEO of the Asia Pacific confectionery business; managing director, Great Britain & Ireland; and president, Europe, Middle East and Africa. [9]
Cosslett joined InterContinental Hotels Group as CEO in 2005. [10] As CEO of IHG, he oversaw the launching of the midmarket boutique hotel brand Hotel Indigo, and a focus on further expansion into the Chinese market. [11] An additional change includes IHG selling most of the hotels the company owned and reaffirming their business model as mainly a manager and franchisor of hotels. [12] During the late 2000s, he oversaw a $1bn (£603m), four-year relaunch of the Holiday Inn franchise. [10]
Between 2005 and 2011, Cosslett was a board member of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), a member of the presidents council of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and a board member of the International Tourism Partnership. [13]
Cosslett stood down as the CEO on 30 June 2011 stating that he has been considering his situation for quite a while: “I’m into my seventh year, but it does feel like the right time to hand over the reins. ... The business is in great shape, and that really helps my exit.” [14]
In June 2017, Cosslett succeeded Daniel Bernard as chairman of Kingfisher plc. [15] [16]
Coslett became chair of the RFU in October 2016, succeeding Bill Beaumont. He himself played rugby for 25 years. [17] [18] He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2022 New Year Honours for services to the Rugby Football Union. [19]
Cosslett is married with two adult children. [20] [21]