IMIAY IMI PLC (PK)

By Ian Walker

LONDON--SSE PLC (SSE.LN) Wednesday said its chairman, Lord Smith of Kelvin, will step down earlier than planned to take up his role as chairman of engineer IMI PLC (IMI.LN).

The U.K. energy company, headquartered in Perth, Scotland, said Lord Smith will step down at the annual general meeting on July 23, and be replaced by Richard Gillingwater, currently deputy chairman.

Lord Smith had previously planned to step down from the board on Jan. 1, 2016 after 13 years' service.

Mr. Gillingwater joined the board of SSE as a non-executive director in 2007 and became senior independent director in 2012. He was appointed deputy chairman on Jan. 1, 2015.

Write to Ian Walker at ian.walker@wsj.com; @IanWalk40289749