Tom Oldershaw took up his new role at Eight Group today (4 March). He joins after just over five years at Webmart where he was client services director.

Eight Group managing director Lance Hill said the group’s growth plans included its emerging digital services offering alongside other future expansion opportunities.

Hill and Oldershaw originally met when they worked at 4DM and Eclipse, respectively.

“We’ve always kept in touch, so this is a really nice fit for both of us, especially as we share the same values and vision,” Hill said.

“Tom brings a fresh pair of eyes and different experience to look at what else we can do, how we can build our proposition and offer additional services.

“We’ve got a fantastic client base and probably 50%-60% of our clients have a need for other multi-channel services we can offer. Tom is joining at a really good time.”

The EDWPS offering includes print, direct mail, data, design, postage and fulfilment.

Hill said that after the “whirlwind” of the last three years, including helming the MBO at EDWPS and the formation of print management wing Eight Plus in 2022, the Nottingham-based group had developed a solid foundation for further growth.

Eight Plus co-founder and director Rob Moules said Oldershaw would be an integral part of Eight Group’s strategic development over the next few years.

He said: “Tom’s experience and energy will help support and drive to achieve those ambitious targets. We are excited to welcome him to the group and to seeing how we can collectively continue to innovate and develop our best-in-class offering.”

Oldershaw said he was excited about taking up a fresh challenge: “I’ve watched the growth and development of the company over the past few years and it’s very impressive.

“When Lance and I spoke, it was obvious that the next steps in the development of the group matched perfectly with my experience in the complementary services to print and direct mail. The potential to expand our offering to new and existing clients, making us a more strategic partner, is huge and something I’m very proud to be able to come on board and drive forward. I can’t wait to get stuck in and work closely with both the teams and our clients.”

The multi-award-winning EDWPS business became a certified B Corp five months ago.

The Eight Group employs just under 30 staff and has turnover of around £14m.