Former Prontaprint managing director Alan Barnett has joined Thomas Potts as group managing director and plans to grow its 20m turnover to 100m in the next few years.


He replaces John Turner, who retires from full-time executive responsibility on 28 February, aged 63.


Barnett is the second ex-Adare man to join Thomas Potts in recent months: the group recruited former head of business development Mark Scanlon as group commercial director in October (PrintWeek, 27 October).


Some people might say it was inevitable we got together, said Barnett. We are people with the same mindset.


Barnett said acquisitions were high on the agenda, along with recruiting the right people to work within the group. This industry sometimes forgets the people aspect, he added.


Thomas Potts might be interested in buying companies providing services that would complement its blue-chip clients in the retail sector like B&Q and Tesco.


We are starting from a small base so we can grow the group as we wish to shape it and be more customer-focused, said Barnett.


The 38-year-old said Thomas Potts had a young management team with a big appetite. We want to put something back into the industry.


Thomas Potts has granted Barnett warrants to subscribe for 5m shares, of which 2.5m will be issued in a years time and 2.5m in two years.


We mutually structured a deal that shows my commitment to the group and that I will hang around before I get any benefit, said Barnett.


Thomas Potts chairman Stephen Hargrave said Barnett and Scanlon had joined the group not for what it is now, but for what we intend it to be.


He praised Turner for playing an indispensable role in creating Thomas Potts.


Thomas Potts owns Premier Metropolis, G&E 2000 and press4print.


Story by Gordon Carson