Refers to the person who held a position, role, or job before the current holder. Neutral and commonly used in business, organizational, and formal contexts.
I received a handover from my predecessor.
He is more capable than his predecessor.
successor
Compound of 前 (zen, 'previous') + 任 (nin, 'duty, office') + 者 (sha, 'person'). The reading follows standard on'yomi.