Croucher joined Frome-based B&T in January as sales and technical director of report and accounts, but wanted to pursue a manufacturing role.

"Mark was taken on in a sales role but we quickly realised that his strengths lay more in manufacturing, an area where we are already well covered. We appreciate the contribution he has made to our annual report business and wish him every success," said B&T managing director Adrian Huett.

Croucher will join Woking-based Unwins on 31 August, where he will report to managing director Mike Andrew. Andrew will assume a more sales-focused role, following the departure of sales director Nick Hussey, while Croucher will concentrate on production.

"The idea of bringing Mark in is to understudy Mike and eventually take over when he retires," said MPG chief executive Mike Milton. "We're very pleased to get him. He will bring to Unwin Brothers a lot of kudos in colour printing."

Unwins has been expanding its colour opportunities. It installed a 10-unit Heidelberg Speedmaster at the start of this year and an eight-unit in 2003. Its historical specialism of mono print now makes up just 20% of its 10m sales.

Croucher built his reputation in corporate print prior to B&T he was managing director of now-defunct Perivan White Dove and before that was at St Ives Westerham Press but Milton said this was not a market Unwins was targeting: "We're not launching into report and accounts at least not for now. Mark's job is to come and get the best out of our equipment."

Unwins has also appointed Rachael Flanagan as business development manager. She previously held a similar position at Welsh magazine printer Stephens & George.

[o] MPG Books in Bodmin has taken delivery of a four-colour MAN Roland 700 for cover and jacket production. It was ordered as part of a three-press deal in March last year.

Story by Lauretta Roberts