Alan Fraser, currently Quebecor's European technical director, will join the group in mid-May and will take over the running of the Purnell gravure plant.

Current Purnell managing director Darren Walker is leaving to take up a new role at Communisis.

Meanwhile, long-standing key account director Alan Outlaw is leaving after a 30-year career with Watmoughs and Polestar. Group sales and marketing director John Ashfield praised Outlaw's "enormous contribution". "He is a true professional, with a knowledge that is second to none."

Separately, print management wing Polestar 4c has named Matt Spencer as its new managing director. He replaces James Mollard who is understood to be joining Wyndeham.