Mike Rottenborn, currently the president and chief executive of Hybrid Software, will take up his new position at the Cambridge-headquartered inkjet technology developer from 1 January 2020.

Fry, who has served as chief executive officer since 2008, will move on to pursue other avenues in the printing and publishing software industry.

He has steered the company through a significant growth period, including several strategic acquisitions, including Meteor Inkjet and Xitron, which concluded last week.

Rottenborn founded Hybrid Software in 2007 to provide a software offering that bridges the gap between e-commerce portals, pre-press workflows and MIS/ERP systems.

He has spent 30 years working in the graphic arts industry and began his career as an electrical engineer with DuPont Printing and Publishing. After DuPont, Rottenborn joined PCC Artwork Systems to focus on pre-press workflow software for packaging and commercial printing customers.

Global Graphics chairman Guido Van der Schueren said: “Gary Fry has been instrumental in shaping Global Graphics into the organisation it is today with a very clear strategic focus on digital and inkjet printing and the board is grateful for the energy and dynamism he has brought to the role.

“In Mike Rottenborn the company has the ideal candidate to succeed Gary due to his impeccable technical credentials combined with extensive commercial experience.

“He also has the analytical, leadership, and organisational skills that are required to guide the business forward. With decades of industry experience to bring to bear he is a well-known and respected figure and the board is delighted to welcome him as part of the Global Graphics team.”

Van der Schueren, who is also the chairman of Hybrid Software, became the major shareholder in Global Graphics in March 2019, when he acquired just over 50% of its shares after his takeover bid for the company, announced last October, did not proceed.