Sales and marketing director Mike Cox, finance director Mark Christison, customer service director James Portsmouth and IT director Darren Crawford have all been promoted from within the Kettering-based direct mail group.

"Theyre the next generation," said Grant-Salmon. "Theyre all around the 30 mark and theyre ready to take it on."

The appointments will enable Grant-Salmon and managing directors Les Ritchie and Nigel Chevin-Hall to concentrate more on strategy at the 15m-turnover group.

4DM has also introduced a formal graduate recruitment scheme and has just made its first three recruits.

"I got fed up with people like me moaning about the lack of talent in the industry and not doing anything about it. Were going to grow our own," said Grant-Salmon.

Story by Lauretta Roberts