Scottish sausage skin maker Devro has appointed a veteran of the food and brewing businesses to replace longstanding chief executive Graeme Alexander, who announced plans to stand down last November.

Moodiesburn, Lanarkshire-headquartered Devro said Peter Page, currently vice-president Europe for the Aviagen poultry-breeding business, would take over as chief executive on June 1.

The company said after playing a pivotal role in developing Aviagen through acquisition and organic growth in four years at the firm, Page would bring impressive leadership skills and extensive international experience to his new job.

Devro, which has factories at Moodiesburn and Bellshill, also has operations in the Czech Republic, the US and Australia. It employs nearly 1500 of its 2000-strong worldwide workforce overseas.

Before joining Aviagen, 43-year-old Page spent four years leading the turnaround of the retail and hotel division of Adnams, the brewer.

Pat Barrett, chairman of Devro, said Page's experience in areas like business to business marketing would allow him to make a "significant contribution" from the outset.

His appointment comes at a challenging time for Devro, which last month revealed that pre-tax profits had plunged from £25.8m in 2005 to £16.3m last year, following significant increases in energy costs and adverse currency movements.

Earlier this month, the company announced that talks regarding a possible takeover had collapsed following disagreements with the potential bidder about an £18m UK pensions black hole.

The suitor was not identified but was believed to have been been Irish businessman John Magnier's Swiss investment vehicle Acomita, which owned 13.8% of Devro on March 19.

Devro said Alexander would step down on June 1 but continue in an advisory role until August 31. No details of Page's remuneration package were disclosed.

Shares in Devro closed 0.25p lower at 115.5p, valuing the company at about £188m.