Cumbrian-headquartered agriculture and engineering giant Carr's Group has appointed a new chairman designate.

Peter Page will become non-executive director and chairman designate on November 1, taking over from current long-serving non-executive chairman, Chris Holmes, who is to stand down at the group’s AGM on January 7, 2020.

Mr Page has extensive international experience in the agricultural sector.

He was most recently chief executive of Devro plc, one of the world's leading manufacturers of collagen casings for the food industry.

Mr Page is credited with revitalising the North Lanarkshire headquartered company and pushing its manufacturing capabilities internationally during his 11-year stint.

Prior to joining in Devro plc he worked for leading poultry breeding company Aviagen Group, where he was group vice president for Europe.

Mr Page said he was “thrilled” to be joining Carr’s Group.

“The Group has market leading brands and robust market positions internationally across both its Agriculture and Engineering divisions together with a strong focus on innovation and technology,” he said.

“I look forward to supporting Tim Davies (chief executive) and the rest of the management team as they continue to develop and grow the businesses, both in the UK and internationally.”

Mr Holmes described his successor as the “ideal candidate” to take the reins of a group that encompasses Carrs Billington, Bendalls Engineering along with nuclear and robotic businesses in the United States and Germany

“I have no doubt that under his stewardship, Carr’s will continue to go from strength to strength and I look forward to working together until I step down in January,” he said.

John Worby, senior independent director, added: “I am sure that his experience both internationally and within the agricultural sector will be invaluable to Carr’s as we continue to pursue our growth agenda.”

Carr’s Group said it was trading in line with expectations in a statement issued in the summer, in spite of the on-going uncertainty caused by Brexit and the impact of challenging weather conditions on its agriculture division.

And it has continued to make strategic acquisitions, snapping up Barrow-based NW Total Engineered Solutions Limited in a £9.6 million deal in July.