Humm Group (ASX:HUM) appointed Robert Hines as chair, effective Thursday, according to a same-day Australian bourse filing.

Hines will succeed Andrew Abercrombie, who will remain a non-executive director, per the filing.

Abercrombie is stepping down to prevent any perceived conflict of interest, given his association with Abercrombie Group, which previously submitted a proposal to acquire the company, the filing added.

The company's shares shed about 1% in recent Thursday trade.