Lee left UPM in January as part of the paper manufacturer's major sales reorganisation, which it announced at the beginning of the year.

Matt Dawley, Graphic Communications president, said: "We have been very fortunate in appointing Will as we know from his previous track record that he will bring a considerable amount of experience and knowledge to our European sales drive."

The news followed the departure of UPM's director for magazine papers, Graham Fraser, who joined global paper specialist Gould International as sales director, magazine sector, last month.