AB Dynamics plc announced that, following an extended leave of absence on health grounds, Tony Best has notified the Board of his desire to retire and step down from the role of non-executive Chairman, with immediate effect. On return from his leave of absence, Tony will be appointed as a Special Advisor to the Board, providing ongoing advice and expertise in engineering and the automotive sector. Tony founded the business in 1982 and joined the Board on IPO in 2013, when the Group was admitted to AIM. Under his chairmanship, the Group has grown substantially, both organically and through acquisition, and has developed into a market leading technology and engineering group of companies with strong growth prospects. As part of its succession planning, the Board announced that Richard "Dick" Elsy, a Non-Executive Director of the Group, who has been acting non-executive Chairman during Tony's absence, has been appointed as non-executive Chairman. Dick will become Chair of the Nomination Committee and Richard Hickinbotham will become Chair of the Remuneration Committee, both with immediate effect.