Chris Sutton, who has been with the business for 35 years, has been appointed managing director of Lathams Ltd, with Peter Latham remaining chairman of the business (and the wider group), but relinquishing the chief executive role.

At the same time Piers Latham becomes a James Latham plc director and, while retaining responsibility for its Thurrock depot and chairmanship of the pension scheme, takes on ‘non-trading’ areas such as ISO accreditation and chain of custody.

Nick Latham continues his trading and panel roles and to head the Hemel Hempstead and Fareham depots, but also takes over as group timber director from John May, who remains on the board, with responsibility for the Purfleet depot and North American purchasing.

"We’re putting people into the roles where they will have the best impact for the group," said Mr Sutton.

"Peter Latham has been chairman and CEO of Lathams Ltd for some time and decided that this has now developed into too big a role for one person, hence my becoming managing director, with overall responsibility for how we operate as a business and drive the company and our people forward."

Piers Latham, he said, had gathered extensive experience of the wider business as associate board director, and his new non-trading responsibilities were increasingly key, while Nick Latham would bring his sales and timber and panels expertise and a "fresh pair of eyes to bear on how the wider timber business structure develops".

"We’re planning for long-term development and succession," said Mr Sutton. "We’re not a company that just thinks 12 months ahead. We’re looking at where we want to be five years from now."

This will include evolution of the branch network, he added.

"We’ll invest in existing newer branches, as we’ve continued to do to very positive effect through the tough times, but we’ve made no secret of the fact that we may relocate older sites and consider strategic acquisitions where we have gaps on the map."

On the supply side, Lathams will continue to "enhance its offer as a one-stop shop", including adding complementary non-timber products, like its acrylic stone range.

"We’re not afraid of introducing more non-timber, but to develop our offer to existing customers, rather than a new customer base," said Mr Sutton.

After reporting half-year operating profits up 9% at £4.6m, Lathams is upbeat about prospects.

"We believe we’ll benefit from economic upturn, but as ever the key to success will be what we do ourselves," said Mr Sutton.