Heidelberg and PPS have filled their high-profile commercial web sales vacancies from within the industry.


MAN Roland agent PPS has appointed John Ellis (pictured), 32, as commercial web sales manager for the UK and Ireland, replacing Norman Revill, who left PPS in June to join httprinteurope (PrintWeek, 9 June).


Ellis joined from Friedheim International, where he sold presses to the direct mail and business forms markets. He started his career as a number one printer at Cooper Clegg.


"With my web background I have always regarded MAN Roland to be the finest web presses. It's a bit of an honour. I've got big boots to fill."


Meanwhile, Heidelberg has recruited 36-year-old John Chambers, ex-Goss area sales manager for the UK, Scandinavia and Benelux, as web division manager. He takes over from former web division director Jim Todd, who has moved up to UK sales director.


Chambers said his seven-year spell at Goss was "the most important aspect of my career to date". Like Ellis, he also started his career as a printer, this time as an apprentice at HMSO, before taking a degree at Watford College.


"There's something about web press sales," he said. "It's a special part of the industry. Personal relationships are very important. It was an opportunity I couldn't refuse."


"His remit is to do equal to or better than his predecessor," said Todd. "We wanted to make sure we got the right man." Although Chambers' experience was primarily in newspaper presses, Todd said: "He has installed some small commercial presses and he has a broad base of knowledge."


Goss' European director of marketing David Stamp was unable to comment about the group's plans to replace Chambers.


Story by Gordon Carson