Directors

Non-Executive Chairman
J A Cropper, BA, FCA
James was born in 1938 and is the great great grandson of the founder. James was educated at Eton and Cambridge University graduating with a degree in Law. He trained as a Chartered Accountant with Price Waterhouse in Newcastle. He joined the Company in 1966, the Board in 1967 and became Chairman in 1971. He retired as Chief Executive in December 2000 but continues to be Chairman. James is also Lord-Lieutenant of Cumbria.

Executive Directors

Chief Executive and Managing Director,
James Cropper Speciality Papers Ltd
A I Lewis BSc, MBA
Alun was born in 1957. He was educated at Cardigan County School and University College, Cardiff, graduating with a degree in Biochemistry. Alun gained his MBA from The University of Central Lancashire. After university Alun joined Wiggins Teape where he gained manufacturing experience in a variety of roles. He joined James Cropper PLC in 1987 as Finishing Production Manager later becoming General Manager of the Converting Division. Alun was appointed to the Board in 1998 and became Chief Executive with effect from January 2001.

Group Finance Director
J M Denman, BSc, FCA
John was born in 1952. He was educated at Yeovil School and University College, Swansea, graduating with a degree in Physics. John trained as a Chartered Accountant with Deloitte & Co in London. Subsequently he held a variety of roles with British American Tobacco, Glaxo, Halfords and BT Marine. John joined the Group and the Board in 1995 following the acquisition of BT Marine by Cable & Wireless. He is responsible for Finance, Purchasing, Information Systems and Project Management. He is also a trustee of the James Cropper PLC pension scheme, a director of the Paper Federation of Great Britain Limited and the Treasurer of the Confederation of Paper Industries Limited.

Sales and Marketing Director,
James Cropper Speciality Papers Ltd
Managing Director, The Papermill Shop Ltd
N A Read, BA
Nigel was born in 1954. He was educated at Bury Grammar School and Leeds Metropolitan University, graduating with a degree in Modern Languages. He joined the Group in 1981 from Robert Fletcher & Sons Ltd and the Board in 1998. He is also a trustee of the James Cropper PLC pension scheme.

Operations Director,
James Cropper Speciality Papers Ltd
P J Willink, BSc, MBA
Patrick was born in 1964. He was educated at Shrewsbury School and Newcastle University, graduating with a degree in Microbiology. Patrick gained his MBA from Imperial College, London. He joined the Group in 1990 from Aquascutum Ltd and the Board in 1998. He is also related to the founder.

Managing Director,
Technical Fibre Products Ltd
G T Quayle, BSc, C Chem, MRSC
George was born in 1953. He was educated at Thirsk School and Durham University, graduating with a joint-honours degree in Applied Physics and Chemistry. After university George held a variety of roles at Robert Fletcher, J R Crompton and Whatman. He joined the Group in 1992, Technical Fibre Products Ltd Board in 1996 and the Group Board in 1998. He is also President of Technical Fibre Products Inc.



Non-Executive Directors

J R Sclater, MA, MBA
John was born in 1940. He joined the Board in 1972. His appointments include Chairman of Foreign & Colonial Investment Trust plc, Chairman of Berisford International plc, a Trustee of Grosvenor Estate and a Member of the Council of the Duchy of Lancaster.

P L Herring, BSc (Econ)
Peter was born in 1940. He joined the Board in 1997. He was previously a Director of BPB plc. He is also a Non-Executive Director of WF Electrical plc.

David R Wilks, LLB (Hons)
David was born in 1954. He joined the Board in April 2004. He is a Director of Wilks & Partners, the management consultancy he founded in 2001. Prior to this, he had extensive manufacturing operations experience with H. J. Heinz and United Biscuits and was a Director of ER Consultants.

Mark Cropper, MA
Mark was born in 1974. He jointed the Board in 2006 and is the sixth generation of the Cropper family to be involved in the business. His previous involvement with the business included writing the company's history, "The Leaves We Write On", which was published in 2004.

Mark is an FSA authorised corporate finance adviser for Turquoise International, which specialises in energy and environmental investment. He previously worked at Johnson Matthey plc, the catalyst and chemicals group, as a fuel cell analyst.

Company Secretary
D R Carey FCCA
David was born in 1947. He joined the Group in 1974 as Chief Accountant. He became Company Secretary in April 1996.