Amvescap plc reports that vice chairman, Michael Benson, will be leaving the company at the end of the month.

Benson announced his resignation from the company and its board of directors, effective March 31, to pursue non-executive activities. He has served as vice-chairman since February 2001, and a director since 1994. Prior to his current role, he was CEO of Invesco Global from 1997 until December 2002, and CEO of the Asian region from 1994 to 1997. He began his career in the securities industry in 1963 and held senior positions at Lazard Brothers Ltd., Standard Chartered Bank and Capital House Investment Management.

He will be replaced on the board by John Rogers, executive vice-president of Amvescap Inc. and chief executive officer of its Invesco division. Rogers, 43, has held his current position since January 2003. He joined the company as president and chief investment officer of Invesco’s Tokyo office in 1994. He became CEO and co-chief investment officer of Invesco Global Asset Management (N.A.), Inc. in 1997 and was named CEO of Invesco Institutional, the company’s North American institutional management division, in 2001.

“Since he joined us more than a decade ago, John’s strategic approach to the business and his commitment to investment excellence have led to positions of successively greater responsibility,” said executive chairman Charles Brady. “Elevating him to the board will enable us to further leverage his broad experience in the asset management industry, his detailed knowledge of our company and his strong dedication to our clients.”

Commenting on Benson’s departure, Brady said, “As a company executive and a member of the board, Michael has tirelessly served our company and its shareholders since 1994. We wish him only the very best as he begins the next chapter of his life.”

Before joining the company, Rogers was a managing director of CIGNA International Investment Advisors K.K. He earned his BA from Yale University and his MA from Stanford University.

A chartered financial analyst, he serves on the board of directors of the Japan-American Student Conference, the advisory board of the Goizueta Business School at Emory University, the Atlanta Metro Chamber of Commerce board of advisers, the Emory University board of visitors and the board of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.