Clarkson PLC announced further to the announcement on 15 December 2021 that Sir Bill Thomas would not be seeking re-election at the company's annual general meeting in May and would step down upon the appointment of his successor, the Board has undertaken a rigorous search of both external and internal candidates and announced that Laurence Hollingworth has been appointed Chair with immediate effect. Laurence joined the company Board in July 2020 and brings extensive experience in the capital markets and a strong understanding of the broking environment following a 37-year career in stockbroking and investment banking with Cazenove and JP Morgan. He held several senior leadership roles at JP Morgan including Head of UK Investment Banking, Head of EMEA Industry Coverage and finally as Vice Chairman for Equity Capital Markets EMEA.

He is currently the Non-Executive Chairman at ABM Communications, and a Non-Executive Director at Recycling Technologies and Atom Bank PLC. As Chair of the Board, Laurence will step down from his role as a member of the Audit and Risk Committee, will remain a member of the Remuneration Committee and will become Chair of the Nomination Committee. Following the appointment of Laurence as successor, Sir Bill Thomas will step down from the Board on 2 March 2022.