Jon Goulding, chief executive of Gutenberg Networks, said Steel brought a "comprehensive understanding of the issues that face our business sector and that drive change".

"With him on board we are uniquely placed to provide clients with intelligent, efficient answers to their business needs across the entire marketing supply chain," he added.

As chief executive of both TfG and the UK arm of Publicis Groupe's global pre-media platform, Mundocom, Steel was responsible for managing the transition of the TfG business into Mundocom.

He later went on the become a founding partner of the value management agency Salt, where he worked with clients including Merck Schering Plough, ISBA and BMI Healthcare.

Commenting on his appointment, Steel said: "As part of the senior management team I will have the opportunity to help clients understand the changing production landscape and this rapidly developing business sector.

"The current marketplace is still relatively fragmented and much of its work poorly understood. Our new UK hub will clarify the impact we can have and the value we add."