Although the company refused to reveal his job title, he is believed to be working in an advisory capacity.

Britton, based at Express Newspapers base in Blackfriars Road, was keeping his cards close to his chest.

"Its very nice of you to be interested, but I cant talk to you," he said.

But it is believed that Britton has been at the Express since before Christmas and that he was involved in the recent restructuring at West Ferry Printers, which is jointly owned by Northern & Shell and Hollinger (PrintWeek, 30 November).

Prior to his consultancy role at the Express, Britton worked at Print-Channel as a sales executive.

His colourful career includes time at Nuffield Web Offset before its spectacular collapse in 1996, as well as being managing director at Rushmoore Reed before it went into receivership in 1998.

In the past, Britton has been head of production at News International and Mirror Group.

Story by John Davies