Jarvis Porter has parted company with chief executive Hugh Donaldson after posting an interim pre-tax loss of 1.6m.


Chairman Michael Maher said Donaldson's departure was by mutual agreement. A board restructure has also been implemented. "We prefer to see a more hands-on way of running the board," said Maher.


Gary Kenning and Alan Mellor both take board directorships. Kenning is in charge of labels and healthcare, while Mellor is responsible for speciality print and creative packaging. The firm has also taken on Steve Darlington as financial director. He replaces Victoria Logue, who resigned in July.


Sales of 29m for the six months ending 31 October were "broadly in line with expectations" said Maher.


It's been a tumultuous year for JP which made a radical departure from the wet-glue labels market with the closure of plants in Glasgow and Leeds.


In addition, it closed its Spreckley swing tag plant following the loss of a major Marks & Spencer contract to the continent in January, and also sold its electronics division.


Despite this, JP claims to be investing heavily. No specific details were available, but 1m is being invested in the Hinckley plant, where three new screen presses have been ordered, as well as finishing equipment for plastic conversion.


It also plans a 1.5m investment in a UV flexo press, plus digital printing equipment for its labels plant in Leeds.


Donaldson's is the third recent high-profile departure from the group. Non-executive chairman Paul Jarvis left in March, while Declan Salter, managing director of wines and spirits and creative packaging, left in July after the wet glue plant closures.


Story by Jeremy Allen