The sudden departure of Paul follows the recent exits of former Howard Smith Paper chief executive Martyn Eustace and managing director Fred Haines to Map's Premier Paper (PrintWeek, 20 May).

Whether Paul will join his  former colleagues at Premier Paper remains to be seen but shortly after their appointments the group ran sizeable recruitment ads in the press.

Dave Cooling, business development director at Howard Smith, which is part of the PaperlinX group, said the search for replacements was ongoing

Story by Andy Scott