C Butt is on the hunt for a new MD following the retirement of the company's long serving boss Clive Hodgkinson.

Hodgkinson's departure “marks the end of an era” at the company, chairman Gerald Butt said this week.

Hodgkinson’s career at the Northampton-based company spanned 33 years, beginning in 1983 when he joined as general manager. He was promoted to the role of MD in 2006 when Gerald Butt took on the chairmanship of the company.

During his time at the company Hodgkinson played a key role in the introduction and development of the firm’s contract distribution and full logistics business, increasing annual turnover from £3m to around £35m at its peak.

In a statement announcing Hodgkinson's decision to retire, chairman Butt paid tribute to Hodgkinson’s “extensive” contribution to the growth and development of the company.

“Clive has worked tirelessly to develop the company into a modern and successful logistics organisation. He has had many successes in tendering high profile contracts with high profile companies in both the manufacturing and retail sectors.”

Pointing to Hodgkinson’s many awards including Motor Transport Awards for Haulier of the Year [2002] and Safety in Operations [2003], Butt added: “We are truly indebted to him for these successes. Clive’s passion for development and growth has remained a key principal and was consistently achieved with numerous strategical achievements through the structuring and restructuring of the C Butt group and subsidiary companies.”

C Butt is currently undergoing a major restructure after a tough year that has seen a number of major clients take their transport back in house.