Capita, Outsourcing, Chairman, Leadership, Resignation

Capita founder steps down over controversial Labour Party donation

The Capita Group Plc (“Capita”) announced that Rod Aldridge has taken the decision to step down from his role as Executive Chairman. To ensure a smooth transition to a successor, Rod will serve as Non-Executive Chairman until the interim results at the end of July.

Rod has led the company since its foundation in 1984. He has provided strong leadership, firmly establishing the company as the leader in the UK outsourcing market.

Speaking of his decision, Rod said: “As founder and Chairman of Capita, I have always seen it as my role to ensure that the Group enjoys the highest possible standing and operates with total integrity.

“At present, the Group’s reputation is being questioned because of my personal decision to lend money to the Labour Party. As I have made clear, this was entirely my own decision as an individual, made in good faith as a long standing supporter of the Party. There have been suggestions that this loan has resulted in the Group being awarded government contracts. This is entirely spurious. Whilst anyone who is associated with the public procurement process would understand that this view has no credibility, I do not want this misconception to continue, as I remain passionate about the Group’s wellbeing.

“I have therefore decided to relinquish immediately my role as Executive Chairman and have agreed with my Board colleagues that I will serve as Non–Executive Chairman until our interim results announcement in July. At that time, I will retire from the Board to enable me to dedicate my time to pursuing my interests in the field of education and creating opportunities for young people both through my work in the voluntary sector and my Charitable Trust.