NEIL Pykett, who was dismissed as managing director of Cowie Interleasing on February 7 amid a boardroom power struggle, has appealed against the decision. On Tuesday the Cowie Group board said it was willing to hear Pykett's appeal and under those circumstances a company spokesman said it would be 'inappropriate to announce any successor'.

At the appeal, which was expected to be heard within days, Pykett is likely to offer an explanation for what has taken place. A Cowie spokesman said the board would consider Pykett's appeal and he once again stressed that in the event of the dismissal decision being upheld, there remained 'several strong internal candidates' to succeed Pykett.