Portsmouth, who was previously managing director of mailing house 4DM, takes charge of the company's operational, manufacturing and managed services divisions.

Despite a move from 280-staff 4DM, where Portsmouth served for 17 years, he said that Inc Direct represented a "fantastic challenge" in a more marketing-based environment.

"The mass mailing market is struggling and differentiating your business is tough in this climate. Inc Direct is more of a solutions sell and I look forward to understanding more about the business," he said.

Noel Warner, managing director of Inc Direct, added that the appointment was "an extremely significant and strategic placement within our business".

He said: "We’ve made huge investment in digital firepower to gear our business to deliver turnover in excess of £10m by the end of our next financial year and James not only has the pedigree but experience and knowledge to help us achieve this.

"I’m absolutely delighted that James has decided to join Inc Direct despite some other serious offers he had on the table."