Clinton Cards managing director Mike Bugler is to stand down at the end of January 2009.

He plans to return to the US and pursue opportunities in management consultancy.

His duties will be taken up by Clinton Lewin, group managing director, and Barry Hartog, group finance director. Lewin will be responsible for retail operations and buying, while Hartog will become group services director.

Deputy finance director Paul Saladorp will assume the role of finance director.

Clinton Cards chairman Don Lewin, OBE, said: “I’d like to express my own and the board's appreciation for Mike's contribution to the Group over the past five years.

“Senior management teams for both the Clintons and Birthdays businesses remain strong and I am confident that we will see continued focus on product differentiation and improvements across both brands under the new structure.”