Symphony Environmental chairman stands down

Non-plastic products specialist Symphony Environmental said on Friday that Nirj Deva had resigned from his position as chairman with immediate effect.

Deva has left the group to concentrate commercially on his "extensive global connections", now permitted following the end of his tenure as a member of the European Parliament.

He will continue to serve Symphony as a special ambassador, "utilising his many high-level connections to unlock and create additional revenues" for the AIM-listed group.

Nicolas Clavel, a non-executive director at Symphony, will act as interim chairman of the board until a replacement can be appointed.

Chief executive Michael Laurier said: "The board is enormously grateful for the contribution Nirj has made to the company over the years and I am delighted that he has agreed to continue serving Symphony in his new role as Special Ambassador.

"His departure as chairman, however, provides the company with an opportunity to appoint a new individual to provide fresh impetus at this exciting time with more governments legislating against the manufacture of non-biodegradable plastics."

As of 0920 GMT, Symphony Environmental shares had lost 4.27% to 7.52p.