Hardide plc announced the appointment of Stephen (Steve) Paul as Interim Chief Executive Officer with effect from 12 February 2024. Steve will succeed Philip (Phil) Kirkham who, as announced on 1 November 2023, is stepping down after leading the Company for over 11 years. Steve had a successful 30-year international career in various managing director, commercial development and performance improvement roles for the leading global surface treatment business, Praxair Surface Technologies, now part of the Linde Group.

Since 2018, Steve has led his own consultancy business, Sketchley GmbH, where he has advised a number of coatings companies, including Hardide, on strategic, business development and operational improvement projects. Steve has a Master's degree in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Sheffield. Steve has been working with Hardide for a number of months already on the development of sales of coated consumable parts to be supplied direct to end use customers.

Steve will serve as CEO and join the Board of Hardide for an interim period of up to six months, after which it is intended he will continue to work with the Group on further international business development opportunities.