Webster said he had enjoyed "29 good years" at Cradley and had left "on the best of terms". "I felt I needed a new challenge, and decided to pursue other options," he added.

Webster went on sabbatical from Cradley last summer, but was said to have returned to the group earlier this year (PrintWeek, 11 January).

"There was a point after Christmas when I strongly considered returning but new opportunities arose," he said.

Cradley joint managing director Chris Jordan said the plan had been that Webster would come back full-time, but that as he was away for seven months other staff had taken over his accounts and the salesforce had been restructured.