The currency printer’s board and management team have commenced a process to select Harding’s successor. He will continue to serve as chief financial officer and as a director of the company for up to six months, during his notice period, to assist with an orderly transition.

De La Rue CEO Clive Vacher said: “For the past three years, Rob has been a highly valued member of both the board and the executive leadership team and has been instrumental in the delivery of the company’s ongoing transformation.

“On behalf of everyone at De La Rue, I would like to express my thanks to Rob for his contribution and wish him all the very best in his next role.”

Harding, who was made a permanent appointment in October 2020 after taking on the interim role in March 2020, previously worked at a number of insurance and finance companies including Co-op Insurance, Swinton Insurance, Aviva, and Standard Life.

Shares in De La Rue fell by over 5% on 20 January to 72.2p after it released a statement announcing a suspension of banknote printing in Kenya and its implication in an investigation into India’s former finance minister.

The share price has continued on a downward trend since then and was down by a further 2.39% on yesterday’s close at the time of writing at lunchtime today (31 January) to 65.3p.