Sweeney replaced former Critiqom head Neil McCallum as chief executive on 9 May.

Sweeney said he plans to use his experience to add to Critiqom’s two main divisions, public and finance, with a move into a third sector, although he has yet to announce what this will be.

He told PrintWeek: “It has been great so far; it is a business that has clearly grown in the last few years, with lots of energy. There is a lot to learn on my part. My background is in outsourcing and I’ve done a lot of customer service. As I go around the business I can see lots of familiar components and lots of things I can bring.”

Previously chief executive at technology firm Bloxx before its acquisition by Akamai Technologies, Sweeney has worked across a range of roles, but now concentrates on growing businesses.

Sweeney was recruited by friend and Critiqom chairman John McCoach. He said: “In the last 10 years in particular I have been involved in growth businesses so when John told me what Critiqom was looking to achieve I was certainly interested in taking the chat further.

“It is all there already but hopefully I can bring a fresh pair of eyes and can bring benefits to take things from good to great.”

Critiqom has its two largest facilities in Bellshill, just outside Glasgow, and in Warrington. It has sales offices across the UK, in Newcastle, Birmingham, Cardiff, London and Leeds.

In April 2015, it was given a boost when it became one of 37 companies to be awarded an £11.5bn contract for postal goods and services from the UK government. 

Sweeney is optimistic about the strength of the print and mail market but is looking for development: “I think there is a core business there, which will be there for the foreseeable future. I think what we will be looking at is how to grow that side of things but also at other communication mechanisms. We will be expanding into other areas including print but supplemented with other services."

Critiqom turned over £16m in 2015 and employs 80 staff.