The web offset and gravure printing group has announced a further change to its group structure, precipitated by the upcoming departure of José Maria Camacho who had been in line to take over as CEO of its continental operations.

Walstead has decided to manage its Walstead UK and Iberia operations together as a new West European division, to be helmed by Read, who became CEO of its UK business in February.

The revamp follows last month’s appointment of Grzegorz Czech as CEO of its Central Europe and Leykam operations.

In an internal announcement seen by Printweek, Walstead Group CEO Paul Utting said the changes would foster collaboration and knowledge sharing across its teams.

He said: “With our markets constantly changing it is more and more important that the group is able to collaborate as widely as possible and I believe that this new structure will provide the ideal platform for doing so.

“After the recent news announcing the merger of our CE and Leykam divisions this further change bringing together our UK and Spanish businesses is a logical next step and creates two strong divisions for our print platform.”

He praised Read for her contribution to the company.

“With regard to the newly announced role, Debbie has done an exceptional job as CEO of our UK business and I am sure will bring her skills to the wider role for the benefit of all stakeholders.”

Read joined the then-Wyndeham Press Group 15 years ago as group procurement director, having previously held senior roles in magazine publishing production at Bauer Media and IPC Media.

The new structure will be implemented in Q4 after Camacho leaves the group.

Walstead said its Spanish management team was unchanged and will report into Read under the new Western European division.

Joan Cavaller and Javier Ortega continue as general managers of web printer Rotocobhri in Madrid, and Barcelona-based web and gravure operation Eurohueco respectively.

In its most recent accounts, for calendar year 2022, Walstead Group had sales of just under €648.9m (£557m).

The group is scheduled to file its 2023 results by the end of this month.

In a busy period for personnel changes Walstead announced the appointment of Grant Murray as its new CFO last week.

Separately, Walstead chairman Mark Scanlon told Printweek that its CE operations which include a facility in St Polten, Austria – an area hit by the severe flooding affecting parts of central Europe – are operating normally and in full production.