Alison Kaye, who was group sales director at book printer CPI UK, is leaving to join rival St Ives. However, Kaye is not moving to St Ives’ book business. Instead, she will become sales director of its exhibitions and events wing Service Graphics.

Meanwhile Tanya Dunbar, who was sales director at St Ives’ book printing operation Clays, has been recruited by CPI. She will take up an as-yet-unspecified senior role at the group, although PrintWeek understands she will not necessarily be directly replacing Kaye.

Both women are currently on gardening leave and will potentially be out of action for 12 months, unless the two groups come to an agreement to shorten the terms of their respective contracts.

A St Ives insider said Clays was likely to look at its internal structure and the potential opportunity to adapt that "rather than just recruiting a Tanya replacement."

Dunbar had worked at St Ives for more than 20 years, having joined the group as a graduate trainee.

Kaye had been at CPI for about eight years. She previously worked in sales at St Ives Clays prior to joining Antony Rowe and then moving up to a wider group role at CPI.