OREANDA-NEWS. January 08, 2016. The Board of Essentra plc announces that, following more than ten years of service, Jeff Harris will retire as Chairman.

The Board appoints Paul Lester, CBE, as Chairman Designate with immediate effect, who will work closely with Jeff over the coming months to ensure a smooth transition of his responsibilities.

Paul is currently Chairman of the FTSE 250 company John Laing Infrastructure Fund, Greenergy - the second largest private company in the UK - and Knight Square Holdings.

Between 2002 – 2010, Paul was Chief Executive of the support services company VT Group plc, prior to which he held a variety of increasingly senior operational and strategic roles at a number of publicly-listed companies.

Paul Lester said: "I am delighted to be joining Essentra, and look forward to working with my fellow Board members to contribute to the continued successful development of the Company."

Essentra is a leading international supplier of specialist plastic, fibre, foam and packaging products with four Strategic Business Units: Distribution, Specialist Technologies, Health & Personal Care Packaging and Filter Products.