Shahid Sheikh is new Leicestershire IoD chairman

A Ugandan-born businessman is to become the new chairman of the Institute of Directors' Leicestershire branch.

Shahid Sheikh, managing director of Clifton Packaging, in Meridian Business Park, Braunstone, will take the role on July 28 from Rachel Hargrave, who had held the post for three years.

Mr Sheikh was named Entrepreneur of the Year at last year's Leicestershire Business Awards and is cultural ambassador for Leicestershire County Cricket Club.

He and his family, like thousands of other Asians, fled to Britain after being thrown out of Uganda by Idi Amin in 1972.

In 1981, his family founded Clifton, which has grown into one of the world's leading packaging firms, boasting a number of blue-chip customers.

Mr Sheikh, a familiar face on the county business and sporting circuit, was recently chairman of Leicester De Montfort 500 Round Table and is the founder of Clifton International Sports Management.

Ms Hargrave is a director of Sileby marketing firm Phoenix Partners.