Malcolm Lane-Ley, current southern regional director of PaperCo and managing director of Masons Paper, has been appointed chief executive designate of Howard Smith Paper.

Lane-Ley will take up his new post from 16 August, and fills the role vacated by Martyn Eustace, following his departure to Premier Paper in May.

Until Lane-Ley takes up his new role, Howard Smith Paper Group's finance director David Murphy will continue act as chief executive.

Lane-Ley will also take over the responsibility of appointing a new managing director at the paper merchant group, to replace Fred Haines, who departed with Eustace to Premier.

Savory Paper managing director Joe Piggott, who is currently in Haines' former job, will continue until a replacement is appointed.

The four, three of which are understood to be regional sales directors, are rumoured to be on their way to a rival merchant group, although full details weren't revealed for legal reasons.

To replace them, Howard Smith has appointed three new regional sales directors; Will Bourne, Donald MacDonald and Phil Trudgeon to strengthen its sales management front line.

Story by Andy Scot