Eredene Capital appoints Non-Executive Chairman

Eredene Capital PLC, an AIM-listed PE firm focused on Indian infrastructure, has appointed its senior independent director Sir Christopher Benson as interim non-executive chairman. Benson replaces David Coltman, who stepped down in December 2010 on grounds of ill health. Eredene is in the process of recruiting a new non-executive chairman.

Benson will remain interim non-executive chairman until a permanent replacement is appointed.

Coltman, a senior director in a number of companies including British Caledonian and John Menzies PLC, became non-executive Chairman of Eredene in November 2007. Coltman will remain on the board for the time being.

Benson has previously been chairman of the property group MEPC, the international construction and engineering group Costain, Royal Sun & Alliance insurance group, and Boots plc. He was also Chairman of the London Docklands Development Corporation.

Eredene had appointed Paul Gismondi and Robert Arnold as new non-Executive Directors in September 2010.

Last year, a consortium including Eredene Capital Plc won the bid to build and operate the 207 million pound (USD 312 million or Rs 14,336 crore) Container Terminal at Ennore Port in Tamil Nadu. Ennore Port is one of the 13 major ports in one of the world's fastest growing economies. The consortium with Eredene includes Spanish port operators Grup Mar