The managing director of a leading medical device company in Ashford has confirmed he is to step down.

Tom Cole has been boss of the ITL Group , which designs and manufactures sophisticated medical equipment with a global customer base, for almost 30 years.

He is preparing to step down from the board, alongside long-serving business development director Greg Smith.

As part of a wider succession plan, ITL has appointed Nick Colyer as managing director and Stephen Hope as business development director.

The outgoing duo will work closely with the new pair during the transition period.

Both plan to step down by the end of the month.

Cole and Smith have been instrumental in shaping the growth and direction of the company as it has expanded its operations in Europe, North America and Asia.

The company has recently experienced increased manufacturing demand during the Covid-19 pandemic .

MD Tom Cole said: “When I joined the company in 1992, our initial goal was to grow our customer base, which together as a team we have achieved. Since then, I’ve been proud to expand the group’s operations into the US and China.”

Greg Smith added: “The company culture was very different when I started but together with Tom, we have made it more people-orientated, which is now one of its biggest strengths. In my experience, leadership is like steering a ship – ensuring there are no big changes, looking at the weather and making sure your crew is happy.”

Nick Colyer, the new MD, said: “I want to say thank you to Tom and Greg for their leadership during my 12 years at ITL. They have set solid foundations for Steve and I to takeover and have left the company in a great position to continue market growth and the development of its employees

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