26th March 2021

Clarendon Specialty Fasteners Senior Management Announcement

We are announcing today that John Hunt, Managing Director (‘MD’) of Clarendon Specialty Fasteners has decided to retire and will leave the Company on the 30^th September 2021.

John joined Diploma in 1999, initially as Finance Director of Anachem, before joining the IS Group in 2008 as Finance Director. Following the decision in 2016 to run Clarendon and the IS Group as separate businesses John assumed the position of MD of Clarendon.

Under John’s leadership Clarendon has delivered tremendous organic growth especially within the aircraft interiors market, and he has led the successful acquisitions of Amfast, Specialty Fasteners & Components, Coast Fabrications and CR Systems which have collectively resulted in high revenue compound growth.

Following John’s decision, we are delighted to announce that Paul Sanders will succeed John as MD. Having worked at Clarendon since 2002, Paul has a deep understanding of the business model, culture and end markets. He has been integral to the recent successes, a critical member of the senior management team.

Effective from 1st April, Paul will become MD and John will assume the role of Chairman, to further support and assist the business.

John Hunt, comments: 

"I would like to thank everyone at Clarendon for the fantastic work that they have put in to build the business since I was appointed as Managing Director 5 years ago. We have had a wonderful journey despite the current challenges of Covid-19 and Brexit. However, that was only the start. Paul and the team have great plans to continue the growth and there are some exciting opportunities that lay ahead of them. Clarendon is in safe hands and I wish everyone involved good luck and every success.

I am deeply proud of Clarendon Specialty Fasteners and everybody within it."

Paul Sanders adds, "I’d like to take this opportunity to pass on my sincere thanks and gratitude to John for his unparalleled support and guidance throughout our time working together and also to our parent company Diploma PLC for their trust. Under John’s stewardship, the business has gone from strength to strength, despite the recent challenges and we look forward to many more exciting projects as we enter the next phase of our evolution.

The business has changed somewhat since I first joined in 2002, and am thankful to all the individuals past and present who have contributed in our joint successes over the years.

I am very proud of our achievements and of all the people who have collaborated in making Clarendon Specialty Fasteners what it is today. I remain fully committed in leading and executing the company’s growth strategy along with the support of the senior management team and all of our colleagues across each of our businesses."

David Goode, CEO Controls, Diploma PLC, comments: "I would like to place on record my thanks to John for his magnificent service both for Clarendon and Diploma over the past 20 years, and I am sure you will all join me in congratulating Paul on his promotion, and in wishing John every success in the coming year and for the future."