Logistics group Wincanton’s chief executive Eric Born, who led its transformation over the past five years, is to quit the Chippenham-based firm this summer.
Mr Born, pictured, will leave on July 31 to take up the position of CEO at a global business outside of the sector, 
Wincanton announced this morning. He will be replaced by group finance director Adrian Colman.
Mr Born is widely credited with turning around the once-ailing group, including offloading its European business and selling non-core operations.
In 2011 it plunged to a £26m full-year loss but has since won a raft of lucrative contracts and in the year to March last year clocked up per-tax profits of £25.6m.
Wincanton said in a statement to the London Stock Exchange that Mr Colman’s appointment followed a comprehensive search process undertaken by the board’s nomination committee as part of its succession planning, supported by an external search firm.
Mr Colman joined Wincanton as group finance director in January 2013. He had previously worked in the same role at tech firm Psion and London City Airport.
Wincanton’s board said it would now commence a process to appoint his successor.
Chairman Steve Marshall said: “Adrian has already demonstrated his strong customer and operational focus during his time at Wincanton.
“Allied to this is a real enthusiasm for further developing the core business, its capabilities and its people. The board is confident it has chosen a strong leader to take Wincanton forward.”
He also acknowledged the “very significant contribution” that Eric Born had made during his six years at the firm.
“Wincanton has made considerable progress in recent years, and all of it under his leadership,” he said.
The group operates more than 4,000 vehicles and employs 15,500 people across 200-plus sites in the UK.
Mr Born joined Wincanton in April 2009 as chief operating officer from catering, hospitality and logistics firm Gategroup, where he was senior vice president and president West/South Europe.
He was promoted to Wincanton’s board in October 2010 and became chief executive the following December.
Wincanton’s shares fell by nearly 5% in early trading following the announcement but recovered during the afternoon before slipping again to close down 0.17% on the day at 149p.
