JCB last week named JCB veteran Alan Blake CEO, effective Jan. 1. Blake, pictured, replaces Matthew Taylor who is leaving the company at the end of 2009 to pursue other opportunities to be announced next year.

JCB last week said CEO Matthew Taylor is leaving the company at the end of 2009 to pursue other opportunities to be announced next year. The company named Alan Blake CEO, effective Jan. 1, reporting to chairman Sir Anthony Bamford.

Blake is currently chief operating officer and has been a senior director at JCB for 20 years. A new structure has been put in place to promote the next generation of executive management, with Tim Burnhope, 44, becoming group managing director for product development and commercial operations and Graeme MacDonald, 41, named group managing director, business operations.

David Bell, currently managing director of JCB Sales, was named chief development officer with particular responsibility for JCB’s future development in China and Brazil, where the company has plants. David Miller remains in his post as chief financial officer.

“Tim Burnhope and Graeme MacDonald are taking on exciting new roles within the business and they will benefit greatly from the vast experience of Alan Blake, David Miller and David Bell. I am confident this new structure will strengthen JCB’s reputation as a leading customer-focused, innovative and cost-competitive business. I want to also thank Matthew for his valuable contribution to JCB and wish him every success in the future.”

JCB is based in Rocester, Staffordshire, England, with U.S. headquarters in Savannah, Ga.