The board of Morgan Crucible Co. plc announced that Tim Stevenson, having served as Chairman of the board since December 1, 2006, will retire from the board on July 31, 2012. Andrew Shilston is appointed to the board as a non-executive director and Chairman Designate with effect from the conclusion of the company's 2012 annual general meeting to be held at 12 noon on May 8, 2012. It is the board's intention that Andrew will be appointed as Chairman of the board with effect from August 1, 2012, when Tim Stevenson retires. Andrew is currently a non-executive director of BP p.l.c. Victoire de Margerie is also appointed to the board as a non-executive director with effect from the conclusion of the company's 2012 annual general meeting. She is currently a non-executive director of the French quoted companies, Ciments Francais and Groupe Flo as well as the Chairman and Managing Director of Rondol Technology Ltd. The appointments follow a comprehensive search process led by the Senior Independent non-executive director, Martin Flower. Following Tim Stevenson's retirement in July, the board will comprise five non-executive directors and three executive directors.