THE former site manager at one of Tynedale’s largest employers has been promoted to a new role with a national remit.

Stocksfield man, Tony Richards, who is currently Essity’s manufacturing excellence director for professional hygiene, and former site manager at Prudhoe Mill, has been promoted to operations director for manufacturing consumer goods UK.

The role has responsibility for Essity’s production operations in the UK, including at Prudhoe Mill, on Princess Way.

He has been in the paper industry for more than 30 years, starting as an apprentice electrician with Kimberly Clark in Cumbria before joining SCA in 2001.

His experience includes site manager roles, UK supply chain director and manufacturing excellence director.

Prudhoe Mill’s owners were formerly known as SCA before the SCA Group was split into two independent listed companies – the forest products company SCA and the leading global hygiene and health company Essity.

Essity is now the name of the parent company to household brands including TENA, Bodyform, Velvet, Cushelle, Plenty and Tork and is also the world’s second largest supplier of consumer tissue

Tony said: “I’m delighted to have the opportunity to play my part in the ongoing success of the company’s consumer goods production business in the UK.

“It’s also great to be based close to home again. Prudhoe is one of a number of key assets for Essity’s UK manufacturing operations.

“It is a well-established mill with a highly skilled workforce and a strong reputation for delivering results.”