Imperial Tobacco Board Chairman Iain Napier will retire next year, to be succeeded by Deputy Chairman Mark Williamson, the company announced.

Two more board members, Berge Setrakian and Susan Murray, will step down next year, Imperial said. All three departures and Williamson are non-executive members. The Board at Imperial is comprised of seven non-executive and four executive directors.
Napier, appointed in 2000 and non-executive chairman for seven years, will retire after the annual shareholders meeting next February. Setrakian also will step down after the AGM and Murray will leave in September. Imperial said it is searching externally for an additional director.