Father of the King Reports stepping down after more than two decades in chair

Professor Mervyn King is handing over the role of chairperson of the King Committee, having held the position for more than 20 years.

King, a former judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal, is known for his role in setting out the King Reports, guidelines for corporate governance. Compliance with the King Reports on Corporate Governance - known as King I, II, III and IV - is a requirement for companies listed on the JSE. 

According to a statement from the Institute of Directors in Southern Africa, King will be succeeded by Professor Suresh Kana on October 1.

King had been chairing the committee since its inception in 1992. He will remain a member of the committee and will take on a new role as chairperson emeritus.

King’s role at the International Integrated Reporting Council will also change from chairperson to chairperson emeritus. He will continue to have advisory and advocacy roles in these committees.

"It has been a privilege to have worked with Mervyn King from the first meeting of the committee that produced King I. Since then I have been in awe of how he has changed the corporate governance landscape not only in South Africa, but also internationally," said Roy Andersen, Sasfin chair and member of the King Committee.

Kana is currently the chairperson of Imperial Holdings Group [JSE:IPL], the chairperson of Murray and Roberts [JSE:MUR], and lead independent director of JSE Limited. He joined the King Committee in 2000 and has been involved in the development of the King II, King III and King IV Reports, the statement read.

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