Group development director David Holland is also set to retire from the company and will leave at the end of April. Polestar also confirmed that group commercial director Bob Caley will leave at the end of the month, with group purchasing director Chris Barker assuming his responsibilities.

In a statement Polestar chief executive Barry Hibbert said: With the new structure in Spain, Chris and I have decided that it is the right time for him to move to start a new challenge. Chris other responsibilities, particularly for Polestar Hungary and with the BPIF, will be picked up by other board members.

Last October Pavlosky was named as chairman of the Polestar/Grupo Prisa joint venture in Spain and is also vice president of the BPIFs board of directors.

He joined the group in February 2000 from the brewing industry and was widely tipped to become chief executive following the departures of Tony Rudston and Jim Brown. Barry Hibbert was given the job in July 2001.

The board of Polestar would like to take this opportunity to express its gratitude for the excellent work Chris, David and Bob have done for the group and wish them every success in the future, said Hibbert.

There have been some management changes at Leeds-based Polestar Direct. Polestar Taylowe managing director Geoff Mordt has replaced Graham Beales as managing director, who left the company prior to Christmas. Former St Ives Direct sales director John Bradshaw has also joined Polestar Direct as commercial director and Paul Taylor is the new financial director.

Story by John Davies