Current Group Chief Executive, Paul Forman, is to leave Coats on 31 December 2016 by mutual consent and take up the role of Chief Executive at Essentra plc, a FTSE 250 company and a leading global provider of essential components and solutions.

“Paul has been working closely with me and the Board in order to identify the most appropriate time to step down and prepare for a seamless transition,” commented Mike Clasper, Chairman. “In light of this Coats has been considering both external and internal candidates and identified Rajiv as the best suited individual for the role. He has strong leadership skills; a proven track record of running our core Industrial business and increasing its profitability; and has been fully involved in developing our corporate strategy.”

Rajiv Sharma

Rajiv Sharma joined Coats in November 2010 and is responsible for the global Industrial business, which accounted for approximately 80% of Group revenues in 2015. Under his leadership, it has built new commercial and operational capabilities to deliver a strong track record of profitable sales growth, the company reports. It has been at the forefront of product and service innovation for the global apparel and footwear industries and Rajiv has overseen the expansion of the Speciality business into emerging applications such as fibre optic cables and value added engineered yarns used in composites and conductive products.

Rajiv was appointed an Executive Director of Coats in March 2015. Prior to joining Coats, he worked at Honeywell, GE and Shell, amongst others. His experience spans multiple disciplines, including M&A, digital and leading large complex businesses, in a range of industries, across five continents.

“I am energised and excited to be taking on this new role. Paul is passing me the baton of a company in a market leading position, holding a strong strategic hand of cards. Superior customer experiences, motivated employees, innovation, digital and technology will be the pillars of our continuing profitable sales journey within a safe, respectful and inclusive workplace. I look forward to guiding Coats through its next positive chapter,” commented Rajiv Sharma.

Paul Forman

Rajiv Sharma will be replacing the current Group Chief Executive, Paul Forman. Paul became Group Chief Executive of Coats on 31 December 2009. Before joining he was Group Chief Executive of Low & Bonar PLC, a global performance materials group, quoted on the London Stock Exchange, and prior to that, MD at Unipart International, the leading European automotive aftermarket supplier. Paul is a Non-Executive Director at Tate & Lyle PLC.

“The Board would like to extend its thanks to Paul for the outstanding contribution that he has made to Coats over the last seven years,” commented Mike Clasper.

“Under his stewardship Coats has evolved from being one of many diverse investments of its former holding company, Guinness Peat Group, to re-establishing itself successfully as a standalone listed entity, due in no small part to his trademark energy and dynamism. He has also driven material improvements in financial performance. We wish him every success in the future.”

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