Nick Alexander, who acquired the Rotherham web offset printer just under a year ago, said the firm’s management team were running the business on an interim basis while he looked for a replacement.

“We wish Mark well and thank him for his efforts for the business,” Alexander said.

Bennett had been with the business for around six years. His future plans were unknown at the time of writing.

Alexander described the market as “pretty good” though he admitted the installation of the former Artisan 48pp Sunday 4000 web press had proved challenging.

“The installation has been a challenge but it’s getting better every day and we are working very hard to catch up, as anyone knows who’s been in that situation.”

Garnett Dickinson has also purchased the Kolbus perfect binder from the shuttered Woodford Litho factory, which Alexander said was “working really well”.

“The GD factory now is a great facility. It’s just taking longer and costing more money than anticipated for the press, but that’s what happens when you put presses in.”

Garnett Dickinson Print had sales of £17.2m and made an operating loss of just over a £1m in the year to 30 September 2015. After Alexander took over in March 2015 he instigated a variety of restructuring initiatives intended to improve the firm’s future performance.

The firm’s product range includes magazines, catalogues, and retail flyers.

Separately, Alexander has reduced his shareholding in Normanton printer Acorn Web Offset, with the firm’s other directors – Mark Roberts, Claire Rennison, and Matthew Carry – increasing their stake in the business. Alexander remains chairman. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Acorn increased operating profits from £854k to £1.3m on sales that were up slightly to £17.6m, according to just-filed accounts for the year to 30 September 2016.