Middleton, 57, has worked in the industry full-time since he was 16, with nearly 40 years spent at Middleton Paper Company, which was founded by his father and uncle.

Having stepped back from the business in December, Middleton will officially retire in February 2024.

Middleton told Printweek that it still felt strange to think of retirement.

He said: “I think of this as a semi-retirement, to be honest.

“The plan is to take a couple of months to gather my thoughts and have a bit of a break and then just see if there are other opportunities – maybe not on a full-time basis.

“At 57, I don’t feel quite ready to hang up my boots.”

Middleton first started working in the paper industry in his weekends and school holidays around age 12.

After five years in the Middleton factory, and a year in Australia, he then started working in the offcuts division, organising sales and transport. In 1990, he set up the division that would become Middleton’s Fine Paper business.

The division would grow into a £35m-turnover business within Middleton, and was eventually sold to Denmaur in 2022, with Jason Middleton moving with the sale.

Middleton complimented the “very nice” Denmaur team, wishing the business success along with his old colleagues from the Middleton days.

He said: “I’ll certainly miss the people – my colleagues, the staff – very much. We had some great customers in the industry too, and I’m still in touch with some of our suppliers.

“I haven’t given up on the industry yet, so there’s no line drawn. I’m not too sure what the future holds in that respect.”

Before jumping to any new venture, however, Middleton said he would take a short break.

“We’re looking to book a holiday in February, to go somewhere nice. I’d like to do more cycling, but with the persistent rain at the moment it’s been difficult – I think I’d need a boat if I was going to work today!”