Hill joins the company from Royal Mail where he was head of pricing.

Roger Hill took over the reins of the company from his father, Roland Hill who founded the business in 1985, on 1 October. Roland Hill will remain with the firm as chairman and head of IP, innovation and technology.

Despite the family connection, there was no historical assumption that Roger would work at Contra Vision. According to Roland Hill, a number of factors had combined to make the move beneficial for both Roger and the business. 

"He is much more business focused than I am. He has an MSc in operational research, which applies well to our global operations in terms of licensing and sourcing," said Roland Hill.

"A prime focus of Roger's will be to grow our export business and match the success we have had in Australia, which is our largest export market, in other significant large-format markets, such as North America," he added.

Roger took a sabbatical earlier this year and spent a few months working at Contra Vision before taking the decision to join the firm.

As well as Royal Mail, Hill has also held roles at defence research agency Qinetec and the RAC. His previous roles have been in fields including marketing, strategy, finance and business modelling.

The Stockport-based company, which was recognised with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise earlier this year, has grown the export side of its business enormously, with overseas markets now accounting for 80% of sales.