Rexam, the leading beverage can maker today announced Leslie Van de Walle as Chief Executive. Van de Walle will succeed Lars Emilson. Before the end of the year Van de Walle will join the board before becoming Chief Executive on 1st February 2007.

Currently Leslie is the Executive Vice President of Global Retail of Royal Dutch Shell Group, a group he has been with since 2000. Before that time he was the Chief Executive of United Biscuits Plc.

The Chairman of Rexam, Rolf Börjesson, said in a statement, "His experience of beverage and food retail along with his international business to business background will be of great value to the company as we continue to pursue our strategy for growth and leadership in our industry.'