The member board of directors of Mica DIY announced the appointment of Michael Ball as ceo designate at the Mica Exchange in York this weekend.
He will take over the role of ceo from Steve Ball, with effect from 2016.

Said chairman David Morris: "Mica members believe succession planning is very important for their own businesses as well as for the Mica group. The board asked Michael to present his five-year vision for the future of the business at the November board meeting, and we were impressed with his ideas for the future."

Michael Ball has worked for Mica for over seven years. He is a qualified marketeer and has held the role of marketing manager within the organisation for the past four years.

"In particular, he has been responsible for producing our industry-admired consumer leaflets and leading the business into the digital age," Mr Morris continued.

"Steve is a valued member of the Mica team and will continue within the business on an ongoing basis in the role of commercial manager, initially supporting Michael during the transition and then continuing to support Mica members, including responsibility for finance."

Steve Ball is credited with overseeing the restoration of Mica as a main player in the independents sector.

Said vice chairman John Dickey: "I can speak for the entire board when I say Mica would not be where it is today without Steve's hard work and commitment over the past six years. To get back onto a profitable footing so quickly alongside the move to a co-operative structure, and the ongoing ability to do more with less is nothing short of stunning."

Steve Ball said he was looking forward to continuing to work for the board of directors under Michael's leadership in the years ahead: "The board firmly believe that the time is right for a marketing specialist to lead what is primarily a marketing company again, and I wholeheartedly agree."

Michael Ball added: "It is an honour to take on this role. Mica members, staff and suppliers working together have achieved great things in the last six years under Steve's stewardship and I look forward to working with them in my new role to build on this success story."

Read a report on the Mica Exchange weekend in the April 3 issue of DIY Week