Mumbai: Pest control and hygiene services company Rentokil Initial on Friday announced that Mark Gillespie, currently managing director, Rest of World region, will succeed Paul Cochrane as the new managing director, Asia & Menat region. Cochrane retired at the end of March, after serving Rentokil Initial for more than three decades.

With over 18 years of experience at Rentokil Initial, Gillespie has built and developed several high-performing teams, leading the execution of key regional growth strategies for the business. Based in Singapore, Gillespie will be responsible for sales and business operations, as well as driving the strategic growth across Asia and the Middle East, North Africa & Turkey (Menat), said the statement.

 “The last two years, though challenging, have seen Rentokil Initial delivering our purpose of protecting people and enhancing lives through high-quality pest control and hygiene services," said Mark Gillespie. "Asia and Menat are amongst the most important regions for Rentokil Initial, and I am pleased to be taking on this responsibility from Paul, with an endeavor to carry forward the legacy of a high degree of efficiency of service to our customers in the region."

Asia has been a vital growth market for Rentokil Initial, and the company’s continued success in the region is a testament to the increasing market demand for pest control and hygiene services as well as the competencies of the dedicated leadership team and employees. In Asia, its business operations cover Brunei, China, Hong Kong, India, (through a Joint Venture with PCI), Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.

"As the industry leader, Rentokil Initial has been continuously developing new technologies that are environment-friendly and sustainable, thereby improving the hygiene solution standard within the industry and I am excited to work with the Asia team to unlock new growth opportunities for Rentokil Initial in Asia,” Gillespie further said.