James Timpson steps down as CEO of Timpson to focus on new ministerial role
James Timpson, the recently appointed Minister for Prisons, Parole and Probation, has stepped down from his position as chief executive of the Timpson shoe repair chain.
In a statement on LinkedIn, his father Sir John Timpson CBE said his son had taken the decision to enable him to focus on his ministerial role.
John Timpson said he would now be spending more time with the business with the support of Paresh Majithia, who has become acting managing director and will “pick up the detail” normally overseen by his son.
He added that he was confident that Timpson will continue to thrive as it has a “first rate” management team in place. His grandsons Bede and Patrick are both involved while James’s wife Roisin is director of the company’s hospitality business.
Timpson trading at “record levels”
Timpson said the company is continuing to trade at “record levels” with a clear plan for the next three years. This includes opening more pods and in-store supermarket sites, investing in key and photo vending machines, and building a large Photo Warehouse on the Wirral. It is also developing a new factory in London for Jeeves, and rebuilding its Le Tremplin hotel in Morzine, France.
He added: “My priority is the continual development of our family business, and ensure it is run well while James carries out the role that the Prime Minister has asked him to do.
“I am delighted James has been given this opportunity, and am confident that, when he returns as CEO, the company will be in an even stronger place than it is now.”
James Timpson was appointed to the ministerial role on 5 July following the Labour party’s victory in last week’s General Election.