"Initially I was asked to stay on a year beyond my retirement, and then the MBO happened," said Milne.

Milne, who led the multi-million pound MBO from Royal Blue Holdings at the beginning of this year (PrintWeek, 25 January), said it had always been his intention to step down once there was stability within the company.

Once the new appointment is made, Milne, who joined Curtis in 1969, will retire and take up a position as non-executive director on the board of EdenEsk, Curtis Fine Papers holding company.

Milne said the company had been trading profitably since the MBO, and the company was in good shape for his successor to take over.