Stamco chairman Leon Sheppardson is retiring from the day-to-day running of the business he has taken 50 years to build up to pursue a career in the music industry.
Mr Sheppardson is handing management of the St Leonards-on-Sea, Sussex company to managing director Roger Brightiff and production director Michael Cullis. Mr Sheppardson is to retain the chairmanship of the £10m turnover company and will remain owner, although he has bequeathed Stamco to Brightiff and Cullis in his will.
Prior to making the move the Stamco chairman wrote to all of the company’s 120 employees explaining what he was about to do. The 66-year-old set out his plans for rock stardom on BBC TV documentary Southern Eye screened earlier this month.
The handover announcement comes at a time of record business for Stamco. Over the past few years the company, founded by Mr Sheppardson’s parents, has seen sales grow at the rate of 8% a year.
It also recently completed a £2m 105,000ft² factory devoted to timber processing and Stamco’s furniture making business Creative Furniture. Stamco’s agency for Karelia flooring has grown to be worth £1.5m over the past five years.
Mr Sheppardson said that the Stamco board had not opposed his career change.
He added: ‘They haven’t raised any objections and what has been really wonderful is that they are supporting me in my musical ventures.’
Brightiff and Cullis intend to pursue the same business policies as Mr Sheppardson.
Michael Cullis said: ‘It is very much business as usual. We have plans for different focuses in the future though. You can’t keep on supplying plain timber, you have got to move with the times.’
