Richard Gray, who was previously director and general manager at Trinity Mirror Printing Oldham, will take on the role at the new factory on 1 September.

His appointment will strengthen the long-term management team at the plant after Ross Borton, the former Southernprint sales director, joined Prinovis as UK sales director earlier in the year.

It comes two months after Bob Robinson announced that he would leave the site to return to the United States for family reasons, after two years overseeing the site’s construction and start-up.

Gray will take up the role after nine years at Trinity Mirror, during which he has overseen the installation of the UK’s only Wifag news­paper press. Trinity Mirror has yet to name a replacement for Gray.

He said: “It has been a difficult decision to leave Trinity Mirror after almost half a working life. I shall miss it but the time is right for me to move on. [Prinovis Liverpool] is a hugely impressive plant, and I’m delighted to take over the good work being done.”

Meanwhile, Poole-based web printer Southernprint has hired Lee Godwin, the former sales director of Essex-based web-offset printer Wyndeham Heron, to replace Borton as magazine sales director. He said: “It’s a great opportunity to join Southern­print, and I am delighted to be joining the board.”

Southernprint managing director Charles Jarrold added: “Lee’s experience, contacts and commitment meant he led the field.”