Erris is on a drive to cut costs across all areas and Partington agreed to step down to assist this endeavour, although the company said it would remain in contact with him and his links to North American markets.

Partington was chairman of the audit committee, with Jeremy Taylor-Firth taking over this role and Graham Brown also joining the committee.

"The company maintains a disciplined approach to expenditure and as such is well funded for the remainder of 2019," Erris said.