Paper manufacturer James Cropper has appointed Phil Wild as chief executive of the company following Alun Lewis' departure after 25 years of service.

The Burneside-based company announced Lewis’ step down as chief executive on 15 August, from which point chairman Mark Cropper, took over Lewis post on an interim basis.

Wild stepped into the role on 8 October after leaving his post as managing director of 3M Security Print and Systems, a $200m (￡125m) turnover company with over 500 employees.

He has 20 years’ experience in industrial, healthcare and security markets and was previously business director for Bracknell-based 3M’s subsidiary Cogent Systems and EMEA business director for 3M Security Systems.

Chairman Mark Cropper said: "We have recruited someone with a proven track record of growing successful businesses, who has demonstrated strong commercial leadership in new markets and countries."

Wild said: "This is a really exciting opportunity for me to play a key role in growing a long established and widely respected business across a global market."

Cropper thanked Lewis for his contribution to the ￡78.2m turnover company, adding that he was "instrumental in the growth and success" of the business.

Wild will join his former colleague Douglas Mitchell, who was appointed to James Cropper's board as non-executive director in January after retiring in his role as 3M's managing director in April 2010.

Cropper added: "We have a clear opportunity to be a true British manufacturing success story, building on our strong heritage and product base, with consistent profits of ￡10m or more.

"Phil brings a new ambition for appetite and growth."