Thorntons chairman John von Spreckelsen is to leave the UK chocolate maker within the next 12 months.

The company said today (27 September) that it has started a search for a successor, although it could not say when it expects to find a replacement.

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A spokesperson for Thorntons said: “John’s intention is to retire from Thorntons before his 70th birthday next year. He wanted to state his intention to leave the company, in line with his contractual notice period, in order to allow the company the time to identify and appoint a suitable successor and complete an orderly transition.”

Von Spreckelsen joined Thorntons in 2006 after stints as CEO of UK convenience retail chain Budgens and chairman of anothr UK retailer, Somerfield.

He is currently chairman of But SAS in France and he is a non-executive director of UK-based Roseholdco (IMO Carwash Group). Last month, he was appointed chairman of Spanish supermarket chain Dinosol.

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