Univar (Downers Grove, Illinois / USA; www.univar.com) has announced that David Jukes will become the chemical distributor’s president and chief executive from 9 May 2018. He will take over from Stephen Newlin, the firm’s current chairman and chief executive, who is set to become executive chairman of Univar’s board of directors. Newlin was appointed president and chief executive nearly two years ago (see Plasteurope.com of 27.05.2016).

Jukes is a 35-year veteran of the chemicals sector and has held a number of senior positions within Univar, including president of its EMEA operations, as well as its US and Latin American businesses. He has also been regional director of Univar UK, Ireland, the Nordics and Distrupol. Prior to joining Univar, Jukes was senior vice president of global sales, marketing and industry relations at plastics e-marketplace Omnexus. In 1991, he joined UK chemicals and plastics distributor Ellis & Everard, becoming vice president of corporate development for its polymers division. He currently serves on the board of DCC (Dublin / Ireland; www.dcc.ie).