Anthony Roberts
About Anthony Roberts
Anthony Roberts, 62, has served as an independent director of Rackspace Technology (RXT) since January 2023. He brings 35+ years of technology, change management, and entrepreneurial experience; notably 15+ years at Walgreens Boots Alliance with the final seven years as Global CIO. He holds a BA in German and French and a postgraduate education degree from the University of Keele (UK). He is currently an investor and technology advisor, with non-executive and advisory roles at Kearney, Photon Interactive, and as a member of the Hitachi Digital Services Board of Directors .
Past Roles
| Organization | Role | Tenure | Committees/Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walgreens Boots Alliance | Global CIO (final 7 years of 15+ years) | 15+ years; final 7 as Global CIO | Led global IT; large-scale change management |
| Multinational Forces and Observers (NGO) | Senior technology and supply chain roles | Not disclosed | International operations exposure |
| PepsiCo Europe | Senior technology and supply chain roles | Not disclosed | Enterprise technology/supply chain |
| United Parcel Service | Senior technology and supply chain roles | Not disclosed | Logistics and IT experience |
| M&G Reinsurance Company | Senior technology and supply chain roles | Not disclosed | Insurance IT/supply chain |
External Roles
| Organization | Role | Tenure | Public/Private | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hitachi Digital Services | Board Member | Not disclosed | Private/subsidiary | Digital services governance |
| Kearney | Non-executive/advisory | Not disclosed | Private | Global consulting advisor |
| Photon Interactive | Non-executive/advisory | Not disclosed | Private | Tech advisory |
| Venice in Peril (UK Charity) | Vice Chair | Not disclosed | Non-profit | Conservation/sustainability focus |
Board Governance
- Board class and term: Class II; term expiring at the 2025 Annual Meeting; nominated for re‑election to a term expiring at the 2028 Annual Meeting .
- Independence: The Board determined Mr. Roberts is independent under SEC and Nasdaq rules .
- Committee assignments: No current standing committee assignment disclosed for Mr. Roberts; Audit Committee presently comprises Benjamin (Chair), Gross, and Scott .
- Attendance: Each incumbent director (including Roberts) attended at least 75% of Board and applicable committee meetings in fiscal 2024 .
- Lead Independent Director: Role is held by Shashank Samant (appointed Nov 2022) .
- Controlled company status: Apollo Funds control >50% voting power; RXT avails Nasdaq “controlled company” exemptions (committee independence and majority-independent board not required) .
Fixed Compensation
| Component | Fiscal 2024 Amount (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Cash Retainer | $100,000 | Paid in cash (converted to GBP at payment date for Roberts) |
| Annual Equity (RSUs) – grant date fair value | $130,909 | 51,948 RSUs determined by $200,000 / $3.85 |
| Total FY2024 Director Compensation | $230,909 | Cash + equity |
| 2025 Director Compensation Policy (Firmwide) | Amount (USD) |
|---|---|
| Annual Cash Retainer | $100,000 |
| Annual Equity Retainer (Annual RSUs) | $200,000 |
| Lead Director Fee (if CEO is Chair) | $30,000 |
| Audit Chair Fee | $30,000 |
| Compensation Chair Fee | $20,000 |
| N&CG Chair Fee | $15,000 |
| Executive Committee Chair Fee | $20,000 |
| Audit Committee Member Fee | $20,000 |
| Compensation Committee Member Fee | $15,000 |
| N&CG Committee Member Fee | $15,000 |
| Executive Committee Member Fee | $10,000 |
- Stock ownership guideline: Non‑employee directors must attain $350,000 in RXT stock within four years of initial appointment; Mr. Roberts’ deadline is January 2027 .
- Director compensation limit: Aggregate annual director compensation capped at $750,000 (grant-date equity + cash), excluding initial appointment year .
- Policy change: Prior restriction allowing only one additional annual retainer was removed, enabling multiple committee/role retainers if applicable .
Performance Compensation
- Structure: Non‑employee director equity is time‑based RSUs; no performance metrics (e.g., TSR, EBITDA) apply to director awards .
| Award Type | Shares/Units | Vest Date | Performance Metrics |
|---|---|---|---|
| RSUs (Annual grant for FY2024) | 51,948 | June 20, 2025 | None; time‑based |
Other Directorships & Interlocks
- Public company directorships: None disclosed for Mr. Roberts .
- Compensation Committee interlocks: FY2024 members were Benjamin, Sambur, Sobel, Garber; no interlocks disclosed beyond “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions,” and none involve Roberts .
Expertise & Qualifications
- Core expertise: Enterprise CIO leadership, large-scale technology and supply chain operations; IT governance; change management .
- Education: BA in German and French; postgraduate education degree, University of Keele (UK) .
Equity Ownership
| Holder | Shares Beneficially Owned | Percent of Outstanding | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anthony Roberts | 161,930 | <1% | Beneficial ownership per SEC rules; includes eligible options/RSUs vesting within 60 days of record date |
| Unvested Director RSUs (as of Dec 31, 2024) | Units | Vest Date |
|---|---|---|
| Anthony Roberts | 51,948 | June 20, 2025 |
- Pledging/hedging: No pledging or hedging disclosures involving Mr. Roberts found; not disclosed in proxy .
Insider Trades
| Date Filed | Transaction Date | Action | Instrument | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 12, 2024 | June 20, 2024 | Form 4 filing (late) | RSU tax withholding/forfeiture | Shares withheld/forfeited for taxes upon RSU vesting; minor tardiness noted in Section 16(a) compliance |
Governance Assessment
- Independence and engagement: Roberts is Board‑designated independent with at least 75% meeting attendance in FY2024, supporting baseline governance effectiveness .
- Committee influence: No current committee assignment reduces direct oversight impact vs. peers seated on Audit/Comp/N&CG; potential area to watch post‑election .
- Ownership alignment: FY2024 comp mix was cash ($100k) and equity ($130,909; 51,948 RSUs) with explicit ownership guideline ($350k within 4 years); track progress toward January 2027 guideline .
- Controlled company risks: Apollo’s control and consent rights over significant actions (board size, major financings, M&A, leadership changes) introduce governance constraints that can affect investor confidence even with independent directors on the Board .
- RED FLAGS: Minor late Section 16 Form 4 in 2024 related to tax withholding; not indicative of systemic noncompliance but monitor future timeliness .
- Related‑party exposure: No related‑party transactions disclosed for Roberts; Compensation Committee interlock review shows no problematic interlocks involving him .