The FTSE 100 index is to lose another female chief executive after Cynthia Carroll announced she is to step down as boss of Anglo American.
Her decision to quit the mining giant, which owns Tarmac and the majority of diamond company De Beers, comes days after Dame Marjorie Scardino said she planned to stand down as chief executive of Penguin books owner Pearson.
The departures will leave just two female chief executives among London’s top 100 public companies, with Angela Ahrendts at fashion group Burberry and Alison Cooper of Imperial Tobacco.
Carroll, who took over as chief executive in March 2007, will remain in her post until a successor has been appointed.
Speculation over her position has grown in recent weeks, with some City institutions reportedly unhappy with the company’s strategy, falling profitability and share price.