Carr’s Milling Industries has appointed Tim Davies as its new chief executive as one of a number of changes to the company’s board.

The former group managing director of the farmer-owned grain marketing business, Openfield, will be joining the Carlisle-based agricultural and food firm in the new year, which includes Carr’s Flour Mills.

Lord Inglewood has also decided to retire as chairman by the end of February 2013 next year, and chief executive Chris Holmes will step into the role of executive chairman at the same time.

Inglewood, who has been a board member since September 2004 and chairman for the past seven years, said: “The board believes Chris is uniquely placed to be chairman as a result of his long association with, and knowledge of, the company. Chris has made an exceptional contribution to Carr’s since he joined the company, and in particular as chief executive throughout varied and demanding conditions.

“He has been intrinsic in the development and success of Carr’s and the board believes this expertise should be retained to assist the further development of Carr’s under its new chief executive.”

Back in July, Carr’s Milling Industries announced that Ron Wood, current finance director at the firm, would be retiring in April 2013 to be replaced by Neil Austin of PricewaterhouseCooper.