THE managing director of Kidderminster’s Victoria Carpets has left the company he worked at for 40 years.

A company statement said Alan Bullock had decided to retire from the business with effect from Tuesday this week.

It is the final chapter of two long and bitter boardroom battles that have loomed over the company during the last year.

Today, Mr Bullock, who joined the business in 1972 and became managing director in 1996, said: “I am retiring from a company that has a brand name that I admire.

“The team I helped recruit over the years have the skills and knowledge to continue to keep Victoria as a leading brand name within an industry which over the years has seen many changes.

“I wish them all well and thank all the staff around the group for their loyalty and service and wish them well in the future. I acknowledge the customers who over the years have been loyal to the brand too.”

The Victoria statement said: “On behalf of all staff, customers and suppliers, the company would like to thank Alan for his loyal and dedicated service over the last 40 years.

“During his tenure, Alan has been a key player securing the company’s long-standing relationships with key brands including John Lewis, Hilton International and the UK’s independent retail buying groups.

“The company wishes Alan and his family well in the future.”

Although a reason has not yet been given for Mr Bullock’s decision, he revealed in The Shuttle in August that if the then-board lost control of the company at an extraordinary meeting in October, he would step down.

He said at the time: “I will resign and leave the company if we lose this vote. I am not prepared to work with them [the requistioners] to see the destruction of everything I love and worked for for 40 years."

He did lose, with current directors Alexander Anton, Geoff Wilding and Andrew Harrison voted on to the board and former chairman Katherine Innes Ker voted off.