Former Adnams chairman Simon Loftus, who has been with the company since 1968, is to step down as a director at this year's annual general meeting.

Mr Loftus headed Adnams' wine business for many years and served as company chairman from 1995 until 2006, since when he has remained on the board as a non-executive director.

He was at the heart of many of the changes seen at Adnams in recent years, including its investment in new and more environmentally-friendly brewing and distribution facilities.

As already announced, Nicky Dulieu is to join the Adnams board from May 1, with a resolution to appoint her included in the AGM Notice.

She is in the process of standing down as chief executive of the fashion retailer Hobbs, where she has worked for eight years. Her previous career was at Marks & Spencer where she had a variety of roles, notably within finance. She lives in Norfolk.