DS Smith names McBride boss to replace Tony Thorne

The corrugated giant announced this morning that Barker, who is 45, would step into the role in the first quarter of 2010.

In a statement, it said that Thorne, who joined DS Smith in January 2001 and became group chief executive in October 2001, had informed the company of his desire to retire when he reaches his 60th birthday next year.

DS Smith said that Roberts “brings considerable international experience as well as an understanding of manufacturing and DS Smith’s packaging markets”.

Roberts will join DS Smith after eight years at McBride, which manufactures household and personal care products for supermarkets. He was group finance director from January 2002 and took on the chief executive role in July 2005.

Prior to that, he held roles as group finance director of engineering and construction group Costain Group and group finance director of Three Valleys Water.

In this morning’s statement, DS Smith chairman Peter Johnson said: “Tony has made a huge contribution to DS Smith and we all wish him well. We are delighted to welcome Miles as our next group chief executive. He has an enviable record of success as well as very relevant experience for our business.”

DS Smith said that Roberts’s exact start date would be announced soon.

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