Colgate announces CEO Cook to take over as chairman

NEW YORK Colgate-Palmolive has announced that, consistent with previously announced succession plans, Reuben Mark will retire as chairman of the board and as a director of the company, effective Dec. 31, and that Ian Cook, current chief executive officer and president and a member of the board, will take on the additional role of chairman, effective Jan. 1, 2009.

Cook, speaking on behalf of the board, stated, "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."