Chairman John and current MD Fiona, who founded the company 17 years ago, will now work three days a week and focus their efforts on sales, strategy, marketing and other leisure, charitable and business interests.

Knox, who joined the firm in May 2010, will take over as managing director this week. Before moving to Dipsticks, he was a regional director at Cello MRUK and served as an associate director at NOP World earlier in his career.

John Raglan said: “With 20 years of experience in the industry, Ivor is ideally suited to oversee all aspects of the company’s activities and to bring new, creative thinking to drive the company forward and continue its progression and expansion. As Ivor has already been with us for over a year, we envisage a seamless transition both internally and externally.”