Hillhouse left Presstek in September last year after four years at the company.

He started as UK national sales manager at Morgana at the beginning of this month, where he will be in charge of a nationwide sales operation.

Morgana managing director Baum held the same role at AB Dick when Hillhouse started 24 years ago and both moved to Presstek together when the company bought AB Dick in 2005.

According to Baum, Morgana was already looking for a new sales manager when Hillhouse became available.

He said: "I am absolutely delighted that Ray has decided to join us and I believe that his skills and experience in sales and marketing will be invaluable to Morgana. He is a real hands on manager and I am sure that our sales force will respond very positively to his drive and enthusiasm.

"When you go through the interview process you can never fully know someone, so I feel much more comfortable bringing someone in that I know. It may be a different product, but I have no doubt he will be up to speed very quickly."

Baum added that 2009 was a good year for Morgana, in spite of the current economic climate.

"If you look at January to December, we had a flat year," he said. "It dipped around April and May but has steadily grown towards the end of the year. We are looking forward to Ipex and 2010 – I don't think things will get worse, but let's hope they steadily improve through the year."