Jody Ford will join the company as group chief executive on 19 July, when Laurent will end his 10-year tenure.

Ford, currently based in California, joins from eBay where he has worked in senior management roles for the last 10 years, most recently leading global growth on eBay Marketplaces. 

Of his appointment Ford said: “The group has big potential and I am looking forward to working with the fantastic team that has brought it to the strong position in which I find it.

"Together, I am confident we can enhance and evolve our products and offering even further as we strive to make the next ten years even more exciting than the last.”  

Ford's immediate focus would be to strengthen the group's presence in the personalisation market, enter new territories and broaden its product offering, in particular for mobile platforms, the company said.  

PhotoBox Group chairman, Doug McCallum, said: “Jody brings with him a wealth of market leading knowledge and expertise from his time at eBay, not least launching the hugely successful international multi-platform personalisation offering. 

“His leadership credentials, coupled with his passion, global outlook and genuine appreciation for the PhotoBox culture we know and love, make him a great fit to lead us forward.  

McCallum also thanked Laurent for his 10 years at the helm of the business, during which he has presided over four significant acquisitions, most notably the £120m purchase of greetings card brand Moonpig.