Holland began his industry career at Bowater, which is where he met John Holloran and embarked upon a work association and friendship that would last for half a century.

Holloran paid tribute, and said: “I met David about 50 years ago when I was the finance director at Bowater Packaging. We got on very well, and when I became CEO of McCorquodale I brought in David as FD of the book side of the business.”

The duo worked on an international portfolio of operations that included working in Nigeria together.  

Holland was also involved with the sale of Varnicoat to Watmoughs, and of Andover Press to St Ives during his time at McCorquodale.

Holloran and Holland subsequently joined Robert Maxwell’s BPCC business (which became Maxwell Communication Corporation), and Holloran led the management buyout of print wing BPC in 1989. 

“We worked together in those three organisations and became mates outside work and friends all our lives,” Holloran said. 

“David was diligent and very, very reliable as a manager. He was very good at turning around businesses. And he had a wicked sense of humour.”

Holland worked at BPC, and subsequently Polestar, for almost 15 years. He retired from the group in 2004, but then returned to the industry two years later as deputy chairman, and then CEO, of Sir John Madejski’s Goodhead Group.

During his tenure Holland spearheaded a major investment in new presses at Goodhead’s web offset wing BGP, at the site that is now Walstead Bicester. 

Holland retired from Goodhead in the autumn of 2012. 

Sir John told Printweek: “I was very sad to hear about David. He was a giant of the printing industry, and a visionary who did everything he possibly could to succeed.

“My heart goes out to his wife and family. He was an exceptionally proud family man.”

Lindsay Atkinson, who ran Bicester during Holland’s tenure and is running it again now as the plant expands under Walstead, said he was sad to hear of Holland’s passing. 

“I had the pleasure of working with David for many years, starting at BPCC, then Polestar, and latterly at BGP. He was a larger than life character and very well-respected within the industry and with customers.”

Outside of work, Holland’s passions included his family,  Bob Dylan, Fulham FC, fine dining and travelling. He was also very well-read and loved poetry. 

He had been unwell for some time and died on 22 March.

He is survived by his wife Claire and his three grown-up children: Nina, Sonia and James. 

A memorial service and celebration of Holland’s life will be held next month in Suffolk.