National Bank of Canada today announced that its board of directors intends to name Jean Douville as its next chairman after Andre Berard steps down on March 10, at the bank’s annual meeting.

Douville’s appointment is subject to his re-election as a director by the shareholders at the annual meeting.

A lawyer and businessman, Douville is chairman of the board of UAP Inc., an automotive parts and replacement manufacturer and distributor. He served as president and CEO of UAP for more than 20 years. Douville has served on the bank’s board of directors since 1991 and is chairman of the conduct review and corporate governance committee. Douville also serves on the boards of various Canadian and U.S. companies.

Douville will succeed Andre Berard, who has been a director since July 1985. Berard was president and CEO from July 1989 to March 2002, and was appointed chairman of the board in 1990.