Hill took up his new role at the Leeds business, which is part of the circa £104m turnover YM Group, on Tuesday (29 August).

He had worked at the Royal Mail’s MarketReach operation as head of media specialists for the since 2014, and prior to that was sales and marketing director at Eclipse 4DM.

He started his print career nearly 30 years ago as an apprentice at Colorgraphic.

TLG managing director Dave McGolpin said he was delighted to have Hill on board: “He’s a good guy who is very well regarded, and with a strong track record,” he said.

“He knows our business and is highly-experienced in manufacturing, both inline and conventional, and his role at Royal Mail gave him broader supply chain experience so all in all he’s a great fit.”

Earlier in his career Hill had also worked for a spell at Lettershop.

“It’s like getting on an old bike, but the bike is a lot bigger and shinier,” Hill quipped.

TLG's setup includes a Kodak Prosper 6000C high-speed inkjet press, which it bought at Drupa last year. 

“I had a great three-and-a-half years at Royal Mail, and it’s an incredible business but this opportunity came at the right time,” he added. “TLG’s client base and reputation are superb, and the case for mail is very strong. There is a massive opportunity here to develop new customer and relationship streams.”

Hill said he had visited all of the circa £104m turnover group’s other sites in his first week: York Mailing in York, Pindar in Scarborough and YM Chantry in Wakefield, and was impressed by the group’s overall proposition.

Hill replaces Steve Holme, who left the business amicably at the beginning of the year, and is now commercial director at Shipley-based greetings card and packaging printer Herbert Walkers.