THE boss of an expanding North-East engineering firm has left to pursue new challenges, The Northern Echo can reveal.

Graham Payne, 53, managing director at Darchem Engineering told staff that he had decided to move on after four years at the firm based in Stillington, near Darlington. 

The Northern Echo understands that Mr Payne has now left the company but he will continue in his role as chairman of NOF Energy, the energy industry support organisation.  

Mr Payne, who lives in Wolsingham, County Durham with his wife and three daughters has headed Darchem since 2009.

Under his tenure the business - part of the US-based Esterline Group - has gone from strength to strength, creating jobs, apprenticeships and winning  orders to supply the nuclear, aerospace and defence industries.

The ambitious firm recently started work on an £8m factory which will support 86 new, highly-skilled posts. Darchem is building the plant next to its main factory after experiencing an increase in demand for its products, particularly in the growing market for large scale nuclear fabrications.

A spokesperson for Darchem said: “Graham Payne has left his managing director’s position at Darchem Engineering, part of the Esterline Corporation.

“During his tenure Graham contributed substantially to the business and he was an ambassador for training Darchem’s future workforce working with several community organisations and educational institutions.”

Esterline is expected to announce Mr Payne’s replacement shortly.