PAUL Shepherd has resigned and left the £500 million turnover York-based Shepherd Group, it was disclosed today.

He has quit his post as chief executive of the group's construction and engineering division "to take advantage of opportunities outside the group", according to a company spokesman.

Last year Paul Shepherd, 57, the eldest of the three involved Shepherd family members, relinquished his role as chairman and managing director to concentrate on the construction division. He was expected then to defer to a new permanent supremo.

The spokesman said: "His resignation occasioned some surprise. We anticipate he will cease to be a group board director in the summer, although he will remain a shareholder."

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Paul Shepherd is succeeded for the time being by Alan Rowlinson, 58, managing director of Portasilo Ltd, who will continue to head up that company.

Updated: 15:26 Tuesday, April 16, 2002