Following a long career within Cardboard Core & Tube manufacturing, company Chairman Brian Hodge is retiring from the business as of 31^st July 2025.

As one of the original founders of Corespec, Brian has been with the business since its inception in 1998 serving as Operations Director before becoming Managing Director and more recently Chairman.

Speaking ahead of his final day, Brian commented “from humble beginnings to strong endings, I have watched the company grow from a small outfit into one of the largest and most respected core and tube manufacturers in the U.K. The company is on a very firm footing with a strong management team and achievable growth plan. However, I recognise that it is time to move on and allow the management team to achieve their ambitions whilst also allowing me to focus on my retirement and enjoy my family time, knowing the company is in very capable hands.”

Managing Director Gareth Ackroyd added “Brian has not only 27 years of exceptional service as a director / shareholder of Corespec, but he has always provided strong leadership, especially in the early years as a start-up business, which has continued in the following years as the company has grown and stabilised. I place on record my thanks to Brian for his service and dedication to the business, our suppliers and customer base.

On a personal level I cannot speak more highly of Brian having worked very closely with him for over a decade. His support, advice and mentoring has always been very much appreciated as has his sense of humour. He will be a huge miss, but on behalf of all the staff at Corespec we wish him and his wife Helen all the very best in their retirement and hope they enjoy the next chapter of their lives. It has been well earned.”

(L-R) Connor Ratcliffe, Gareth Ackroyd, Brian Hodge, Michael Smith, Ashleigh Brown