HH Associates beat other "major print management companies across Europe" to appoint Massey, who has experience at other firms including Alistair McIntosh and Williams Lea.

"It's an exciting time to fulfil a role that is central to the group's EU expansion and overall strategic development," said Massey. "I decided to take on the role because it was larger than my previous ones and held more responsibility."

He added that the initial strategy at HH would be to build on its UK base and expansion into Europe. Massey said the print management model had been "well received" in markets such as France, Spain, Germany and Eastern Europe.

"Its approach has now been successfully deployed across 19 countries," he said.

"Tony is one of the most  respected people in the industry," said HH Associates managing director Robert MacMillan.

Last month the firm moved further into Scandinavia when it acquired Danish print broker Novavision (PrintWeek, 4 November).

Story by Philip Chadwick