Board shake-up at 1st Dental

A CO-FOUNDER of dental supplier 1st Dental Laboratories is to leave the company to pursue other business interests.

Executive chairman Andrew Garner, who led the Harrogate-based business to a listing on AIM in 2002, has also resigned as a director but will remain as a consultant at the company.

Graham Sewell has become non-executive chairman of 1st Dental, which supplies equipment to dentists for crown, bridge and orthodontic work, on an basis.

Managing director Nigel Spring is to take over as the company’s chief executive.

Director Mac Ganderton has also decided to resign to develop his other business interests.

Mr Sewell said: “Andrew is very much the creator of 1st Dental and has led the company’s growth from start-up to an AIM listing and a Company with revenues of circa £10m.

“Mac joined the board at the time of the acquisition of Benchmark in 2005. The directors wish both Andrew and Mac every success with their new ventures and thank them for their long service to the company.

“The company will now move forward with a new board and management structure and I look forward to working with Nigel as CEO.”

1st Dental’s revenues for the half-year ended May 31 had rose 5.3% to £5.1m.