He will become a non-executive director initially and then take over from the retiring Bob Benton on 1 January 2015.
Hughes-Hallett has been working for the Swire group since 1976. His shipping background is in contrast to Benton's finance and investment experience.
The new man is chairman of John Swire & Sons and a non-executive director of Cathay Pacific Airways, Swire Pacific and Swire Properties.
