Keith Williams CBE (born 13 May 1956)[1] is a British businessman who has been chairman of Halfords and Royal Mail since 2018. He was chief executive officer (CEO) of British Airways from 2011 to 2016.
Keith Williams | |
|---|---|
| Born | 13 May 1956 Teesside, England |
| Alma mater | University of Liverpool |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Employer(s) | Halfords Royal Mail |
| Known for | Royal Mail (2018–present) Halfords (2018–present) British Airways (2011–2016) John Lewis (until 2019) |
| Title | Chairman of Halfords and Royal Mail |
Early life
editWilliams was born in Teesside, England,[2] attended Guisborough Grammar School,[1] and received an undergraduate degree from the University of Liverpool.[3]
Career
editWilliams spent his early career with Boots, Apple Inc., and Reckitt and Colman.[4]
In 1998, Williams left Reckitt and Colman, and joined British Airways, rising to CEO in 2011, and then chairman.[2][5][6] In April 2016, he was succeeded by Álex Cruz as chairman.[6]
Williams has been a non-executive director and deputy chairman of John Lewis, and a non-executive director of Aviva until May 2019.[4][7]
Williams has been the chairman of Halfords since July 2018.[4]
In May 2019, Williams, then deputy chairman, and a board member since January 2018, succeeded Les Owen as chairman of Royal Mail.[7]
In May 2020, Rico Back resigned as CEO of Royal Mail with immediate effect, and Williams, the chairman, replaced him as executive chairman.[5][8]
Williams is the independent chair of the Government-supported Rail Review.[4]
Honours
editIn 2019, Williams was awarded an honorary doctorate by Teesside University.[2] He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2022 Birthday Honours for services to the railway industry.[9]
Personal life
editWilliams is married and has a son and a daughter.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c Shah, Oliver (9 July 2022). "Royal Mail chairman Keith Williams: If we don't deliver change, we face extinction". The Sunday Times.
- ^ a b c "Honorary Graduates | About us | Teesside University".
- ^ "Keith Williams - Biography". marketscreener.com. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Keith Williams - Halfords Group PLC".
- ^ a b Bow, Michael (15 May 2020). "Royal Mail chief executive Rico Back in shock exit from postal giant". Evening Standard. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
- ^ a b Davies, Rob (6 November 2015). "British Airways: Alex Cruz to replace Keith Williams as chairman". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
- ^ a b "Keith Williams to succeed les Owen as Chairman of Royal Mail in May 2019".
- ^ Gill, Oliver (15 May 2020). "Royal Mail boss Rico Back ousted with £450,000 payoff". The Telegraph.
- ^ "No. 63714". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 June 2022. p. B11.