ABB, a pioneering technology leader, has announced the appointment of Jessica Mitchell, an industry veteran, as the new head of investor relations effective November 15.

She succeeds Alanna Abrahamson, who has been appointed chief financial officer of ABB’s industrial automation division.

In her new role, Mitchell will be reporting to the company’s chief financial officer, Timo J. Ihamuotila.

She was earlier working in BP, where she had been the head of group investor relations since August 2011. She has more than 20 years’ experience in the oil and gas sector in Britain and South Africa, having held positions of increasing responsibility in supply and logistics and in strategic marketing at Castrol, before moving into Investor Relations at BP 15 years ago.

Abrahamson will assume her new role as of March 1, 2018, after a smooth transition in Investor Relations.

Welcoming the appointment, ABB CFO Ihamuotila, said: "First, I would like to thank Abrahamson for the outstanding work she has done in the past six years in building up strong relationships with key stakeholders and in contributing to a better understanding of our strategy, goals and achievements among the wider financial community."

On Mitchell, Ihamuotila said: "She is a seasoned IR professional, who brings a wealth of experience to the role. Her deep understanding of the industrial value chain will be extremely helpful in improving investors’ and analysts’ understanding of how we add value to our customers’ businesses."

Mitchell, a British and South African citizen, will be based at ABB’s global headquarters in Zurich. She holds an MBA from the University of Cape Town.-TradeArabia News Service