Mason, who is currently chairman of its operations in the UK, Ireland and South Africa, will close a career that has spanned some 36 years in the industry.

"He is a legend in the industry and has contributed enormously to the development of paper merchanting as a credible, global business," said PaperlinX's regional president for the UK and Ireland, Martin Fothergill.

Robert Horne managing director Toby Marchant said Mason had been, "an outstanding leader, coach, confidant and good friend to everyone who has worked for Robert Horne."

"We will all miss him," he said.

Mason was originally set to retire in two years' time, and news of his earlier-than-anticipated departure comes a week after the high profile departures of Howard Smith Paper chief executive Martyn Eustace and managing director Fred Haines to rival merchant Premier Paper (printweek.com, 17 May).

Howard Smith Paper is also part of the PaperlinX Europe merchanting empire.

Mason joined Robert Horne in 1969, becoming managing director in 1988, and group managing director in 1997.

Three years later he was appointed regional president for Buhrmann's UK and Ireland businesses.

He was named as chairman of PaperlinX UK, Ireland and South Africa following the completion of the acquisition of Buhrmann's paper merchanting division by the Australian paper merchanting and manufacturing giant last year.

Story by Andy Scott