Colgate-Palmolive Company today announced that, consistent with previously announced succession plans, Reuben Mark will retire as Chairman of the Board and a director of Colgate-Palmolive Company effective December 31, 2008, and that the Board of Directors has unanimously elected Ian M. Cook, currently Chief Executive Officer and President and a member of the Board of Directors, to the additional role of Chairman of the Board, effective January 1, 2009.
Mr. Cook, speaking on behalf of the Board of Directors said, "We are extremely grateful for Reuben's outstanding leadership of Colgate's Board as its Chairman for more than 22 years. He was deeply committed to a strong tradition of Board strategic oversight and corporate governance excellence, which we look forward to continuing."