TWO Knutsford brothers will be brushing up on their leadership skills for their new industry roles.

Stephen and John Falder, who are both directors of the UK’s largest independent paint manufacturers HMG Paints, have simultaneously taken on leadership roles with leading national and international paint and coatings industry associations.

Stephen, 53, who is marketing director at Collyhurst-based HMG Paints, has taken over the reigns as secretary general of NOVA Paint Club, a global collaboration of speciality paints and coatings businesses.

The 12 member companies have a combined turnover of more than $4.5billion, employing more than 13,000 employees across 73 manufacturing sites worldwide.

Meanwhile John, 59, managing director of HMG Paints, has become the new president of the British Coatings Federation (BCF), the sole trade association representing the UK paints, printing inks, powder coatings and wallcovering manufacturers.

He is the second Falder to hold this position; Stephen was president in 1999 and 2000.

Stephen said: “John and I are immensely proud to have been selected to represent our industry on both a national and international level.

“We are both incredibly passionate about continuing to improve standards in our industry, especially when it comes to the environment, and we are excited about working with the industry’s finest to ensure we can cumulatively achieve great things.”

HMG Paints was established in 1930 and moved to Riverside Works in Collyhurst in 1959.

Herbert Falder, Stephen and John’s grandfather, was one of the company’s founders and ran the business until their father, Brian Falder, took over in 1980.

In 1994, Stephen and John became the third generation of Falders to run the business and have since successfully launched a number of high-profile spin-off businesses including Little Greene and Bradite.