AstraZeneca hires former Scottish Power CFO, Simon Lowth

AstraZeneca PLC has yesterday announced the appointment of Simon Lowth as an Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer, with effect from November 5, 2007.

In this role he will be responsible for Finance and Information Services.
Mr Lowth joins AstraZeneca from Scottish Power PLC where he was Finance Director following two years as Executive Director, Corporate Strategy and Development. Mr Lowth was a key member of the team that drove the strategic transformation of Scottish Power. He played a critical role in the rejection of the E.On bid in 2005 and in the negotiation of the successful bid from Iberdrola S.A. in November 2006. As Finance Director, he led Scottish Power’s group-wide performance and risk management processes, delivering strong EPS growth through business development and tight cost control. Mr Lowth left Scottish Power in May 2007 following completion of the sale to Iberdrola.

Mr Lowth’s move to Scottish Power in 2003 followed 15 years’ experience with the global management consultancy, McKinsey & Company, latterly as a senior Director responsible for the firm’s UK Industrial Practice. At McKinsey, Mr Lowth advised leading multi-national companies on a wide range of strategic, financial and operational issues.

Mr Lowth has an engineering degree from Cambridge University and an MBA from London Business School.