UK-based leather producer for many brands of gloves, shoes, luxury leathergoods and sports equipment Pittards plc has appointed Reg Hankey as its new chief executive, effective July 19. Mr Hankey has been with the company for 15 years. In his new role he will continue to report to Stephen Boyd, the executive chairman of Pittards.

According to a statement, this appointment will bring together the various parts of the company as Pittards consolidates its UK manufacturing into Yeovil, and will allow Mr Boyd to spend more time on the company's strategic direction.

Meanwhile, the company also announced the retirement of David Tebbs, a  non-executive director. He will be replaced as non-executive director by Lars Gustav Fex, who is managing director of Forvaltnings AB Browallia and the directorial nominee of Peter Gyllenhammar.