JCB chief exec Matthew Taylor resigns

JCB chief executive Matthew Taylor has resigned, after just over a year in the role.

He is to be replaced by Alan Blake, who will take up the post on 1 Janaury 2010.

Taylor joined JCB as managing director of JCB Sales in April 2006 and became group chief operating officer in January 2007.

Blake is currently chief operating officer and has been a senior director at JCB for 20 years.

Taylor's decision to leave the company has prompted several other changes at director-level within the business:

• Tim Burnhope becomes group managing director for product development and commercial operations.
• Graeme Macdonald becomes group managing director of business operations.
• David Bell, managing director of JCB Sales, becomes chief development officer with responsibility for JCB's development in China and Brazil.
• David Miller will remain in his post as chief financial officer.

Sir Anthony Bamford, JCB chairman, said: "Tim Burnhope and Graeme Macdonald are taking on exciting new roles within the business and they will benefit greatly from the vast experience of Alan Blake, David Miller and David Bell."

"I am confident that this new structure will strengthen JCB's reputation as a leading customer-focused, innovative and cost competitive business. I want to also to thank Matthew for his valuable contribution to JCB and wish him every success in the future."