“My natural successor”

Lowe’s has announced its plans for the transition to the next generation of top management. Robert A. Niblock, 41, has been named chairman and chief executive officer-elect . He is to succeed Robert L. Tillman, who intends to retire at the end of the current financial year on 28 January 2005. Niblock has also been named to the board of directors effective immediately. He has worked for the company since 1993, as president since March 2003. Tillman, who has built up the company over a period of 41 years, describes Niblock as “my natural successor”: