noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
predecessor; former incumbent
Refers to the person who previously held a position, role, or office. Often used with の to modify a following noun, e.g., 前任者 (predecessor).
The former president retired last year.
He is my predecessor.
前任 refers to the person who held the position before, while 後任 refers to the person who takes over after them.
新任 refers to the newly appointed person in a post, while 前任 refers to the previous holder of that same post.
Compound of 前 (previous) and 任 (duty, office).