Rentokil CEO Andy Ransom to Retire by Year’s End

LONDON - Rentokil announced today that CEO Andy Ransom will retire by the 2026 annual general meeting (AGM), after 17 years on the board, including 12 as CEO. The search for his successor is underway and being led by Chair Richard Solomons.

Solomons praised Ransom in a press release for having created a global leader in pest control. "Rentokil Initial is well placed within an industry that has attractive and sustainable growth drivers,” he said. “The company has exceptional long term growth prospects but short term our priority is on turning around the underperforming North American business. Andy is very focused on this task and will ensure a smooth handover when a new chief executive is appointed.”

Ransom started his career as a transactional lawyer at Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI), working in countries such as Canada and the U.S.. He later moved into business management roles within the company. After ICI was acquired in 2007, Ransom joined Rentokil in 2008 with two former colleagues. He held several leadership positions, including overseeing the Asia Pacific region, before becoming CEO.

Ransom’s signature acquisition in North America was in October 2022 when Rentokil Initial completed its acquisition of Terminix Global Holdings in an 80% stock and 20% cash ($1.3 billion) deal. While this acquisition allowed Rentokil to overtake Rollins as the largest pest control provider in North America, it’s not come without challenges. In September 2024, Rentokil Initial reported slow sales in North America, which caused its share price to drop 18%. And in June 2024, Nelson Peltz’s Trian Fund Management acquired a “significant claim” in Rentokil Initial; later that year Brian Baldwin of Trian Partners joined Rentokil's board of directors, a move seen as increasing Trian’s ability to influence the company and its shareholders.

In a press release, Ransom said it was “a great privilege" to lead Rentokil Initial the last 12 years and he is looking forward to working with his successor to ensure a smooth transition. "For now, I am focused on executing our growth plans in our North America business and expanding in our target markets around the world, so as to leave the company in the best possible shape for the future,” he said. “I would like to place on record my thanks to the tens of thousands of colleagues whose hard work and commitment underpin both the many achievements over the last few years and the great potential the company has today."

NEW APPOINTMENTS. Rentokil also announced the appointment of two new non-executive directors — Leanne Sheraton and Sam Mitchell — effective June 1.

Sheraton most recently served chief marketing officer (2022 - 2024) for PayPal Holdings. She was responsible for leading marketing across all of PayPal's brands, where she introduced new channels, capabilities and partnerships, driving a step change in new customer acquisition and growth in customer value. 

Mitchell is the former chief executive officer of Valvoline Inc. (2016 - 2023). He served as president of Valvoline since 2002 and led Valvoline's spin out from Ashland Inc., through its IPO on the NYSE in 2016. Mitchell joined Ashland in 1997 and his experience includes marketing, brand management and general management.

Rentokil Initial also announced today that two current non-executive directors will be stepping down from the board. Linda Yueh enters her ninth year of service with the company in 2025 and will not be standing for re-election as a non-executive director at the 2026 AGM. Due to demands on his time, Sarosh Mistry has decided to step down as a don-executive director on July 31.

Additional source: Rentokil-Initial