York-based house building giant Persimmon plc announced that Anand Aithal will join its board as an Independent Non-Executive Director with effect from January 1, 2025.

Aithal will also join the Remuneration and Nomination Committees from the date he joins the board.

In addition, Nigel Mills has notified the board of his intention to step down from the board and as Senior Independent Director at Persimmon‘s Annual General Meeting on May 1, 2025, after nine years of service.

Annemarie Durbin, currently Independent Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Remuneration Committee, will be appointed as Senior Independent Director with effect from May 1, 2025, after Mills retires.

“Anand has extensive board experience, currently holding Non-Executive Director roles at Saga Plc, Polar Capital Holdings Plc and Nationwide Building Society,” said Persimmon.

“He also serves on not-for-profit boards at the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and the Institute for Government. Until very recently, Anand was the lead Non-Executive for the Cabinet Office.

“Anand has over thirty years of experience in financial, business and professional services and co-founded Amba Research, an outsourced data analytics and research business.”

Persimmon chairman Roger Devlin said: “On behalf of the Board, I would like to welcome Anand to Persimmon. Anand brings a wealth of experience across many sectors as a senior executive, entrepreneur and Non-Executive. I look forward to working with Anand once he joins next year.

“I would also like to warmly thank Nigel for his immense contribution to Persimmon. Nigel has provided valuable and wise counsel during his tenure, including as acting Chairman before my appointment. On behalf of the Board I wish Nigel the very best for the future. I am delighted that Annemarie has agreed to take the role of Senior Independent Director once Nigel leaves after the AGM.”

Aithal said: “I am delighted to join Persimmon having followed their recent progress closely. With housing at the heart of the new government‘s agenda I look forward to working with the team to continue to drive further operational improvement and secure the company‘s ambitious growth plans.”

Mills said: “It has been a pleasure to support the Board and Persimmon for nearly a decade. It has been especially satisfying to be associated with the cultural transformation across the business which has delivered significantly improved build quality and customer care.  I have every confidence in the Company‘s continued success and extend my best wishes to the team for the future.”