A BLACKBURN manufacturer has appointed a new chief executive officer.

Gareth Jenkins will take over at Accrol Group Holdings plc after Steve Crossley announced he was stepping down to pursue other interests.

Accrol is an AIM-listed independent tissue converter which is based in Davyfield Road.

Mr Jenkins, 49, who will take over on September 11, spent 24 years at DS Smith plc, one of Europe’s leading packaging companies and for the last four years has been Managing Director of the UK and Ireland packaging division and has extensive strategy, commercial, M&A and operational experience, gained in both the UK and in Europe.

Peter Cheung, chairman of Accrol, said: “We are very pleased to be joined by someone of Gareth’s calibre, and we look forward to benefitting from his wealth of experience built during a 24 year career at DS Smith plc.

“I would like to thank Steve for the contribution that he has made to Accrol."