Leading shipping services group, Clarkson PLC, says that James Hughes-Hallett will join the Board as a Non-Executive Director with immediate effect and will take over as Chairman from 1 January 2015 when Bob Benton will retire from the Board. Clarksons explain that James Hughes-Hallett brings a wealth of experience in the world of shipping, transportation, offshore and global trade, having worked for the Swire group since 1976. He is currently chairman of John Swire & Sons Limited, a Non-Executive Director of Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd, Swire Pacific Ltd and Swire Properties Ltd. He is a Director of Steamships Trading Co Ltd and is Chairman of United States Cold Storage Inc.