Paint Manufacturer Appoints New Managing Director

Crown Paints, the leading paint manufacturer, has appointed a new Managing Director.

Matt Crossingham joins the business after nearly 20 years at Wattyl, an Australian subsidiary of Crown’s parent company Hempel Group. He also previously held senior leadership positions at Australia-based paint manufacturer Sherwin-Williams.

He joins after a successful period of growth for the business, with revenue growing by more than two-thirds in the period between 2019-2024 and it is increasing its focus on sustainability.

It has also been recognised for its sector-leading Project Possible initiative and reaffirmed its position as one of the industry’s best places to work, with employee wellbeing and safety a key area of focus.

Matt Crossingham said: “I couldn’t be joining at a better time and am looking forward to engaging with my future colleagues, who have been so important in driving the business’ recent progress.

“We’re fortunate to boast a diverse, experienced and knowledgeable workforce here in the UK and Ireland – there’s a lot I can learn from the team and I’m keen to ensure my own experiences support them too as we make the journey to a more inclusive, safe and supportive place to work. Working closely with my store colleagues in Australia and New Zealand has provided me with learnings and successes I’m looking forward to replicating here and I’m raring to get going.

“Crown is widely recognised across the Hempel Group and the wider paint industry for being a sustainability leader and I’m excited by the prospect of driving that to the next level.”

Crown is part of Hempel Group, a global coatings company majority owned by The Hempel Foundation, an organisation that supports biodiversity, empowers children through education and drives initiatives that create positive change.

The company’s environmental and social initiatives, as part of its ESG programme Project Possible, as well as profits from paint sales, all contribute to Hempel’s efforts, helping to make a difference not just in the UK & Ireland, but across the world.