Soames steps in to temporary role

Aggreko chief executive Rupert Soames is to take over as temporary chairman of Electrocomponents after Peter Johnson announced he would be stepping down for a period to care for his wife, who is ill. He will remain on the board of Electrocomponents and expects to return to his full duties as chairman in due course.

Adrian Auer will replace Soames as the senior independent director and chairman of the remuneration committee.

Johnson is also handing over chairmanship of the board of DS Smith to Gareth Davis, the deputy