Commenting on the announcement Alan White, Chief Executive, added: "The company has changed beyond all recognition since I joined in 1985 when revenue was £43m and pre -tax profit £4.6m and it has been an exciting and thoroughly enjoyable journey to get to where we are today. After 25 years service I have taken the very difficult decision to leave the group in 2013 and think about the next stage of my career. I now look forward to working with our excellent new Chairman, Andrew Higginson, to recruit the best new chief executive available to drive the company forward in the future."