Robert Horne managing director David Allen has stepped up to become regional president of PaperlinX UK, Ireland and South Africa.

He has been managing director at the company since November 2005. Allen replaces Toby Marchant, who was recently appointed chief executive of PaperlinX Europe.

PaperCo managing director Alistair Gough has become the new managing director of Robert Horne.

Steve King, the chief financial officer for PaperlinX UK, Ireland and South Africa, replaces Gough's position.

Commenting on his new role, Gough said that it was "good to be back". Before joining PaperCo, he had previously worked at the Robert Horne Group for more than 20 years.

Staff at Robert Horne and PaperCo have been told of the changes and handovers of all jobs officially took place on 1 July.

It is not yet known if any changes have been made at the Howard Smith Paper Group, which is also a merchanting division of PaperlinX.