Purves had spent the entire 37 years of his working life with Waddies. In 1997 he became managing director after leading a 16m MBO, and he also oversaw the groups move from its Edinburgh headquarters to a single-site operation in Livingston.

He retained his job title after former chairman Iain MacRitchie invested in the group, although his role became focused on sales and marketing, with day-to-day operations coming under the control of chief executive Iain Pittman.

Purves leaves Waddies at the end of this month, while Pittman will also leave the group, but in August, after he has completed projects relating to the merger.

Ormolu Group chairman Bob Hodgson said he would be sad to see Purves and Pittman leave the company, and that negotiations over their future had been on-going since the deal was announced.

He had put Pillans & Wilson managing director Gordon Samson in charge of the enlarged group, while Alan Yorkston became sales and marketing director, leaving Purves and Pittman with diluted roles.

Hodgson said that he had been unable to find a way to "utilise Brian Purves talents".
"It was straightforward with Iain [Pittman]," he added. "We would have liked him to continue as number two to Gordon but clearly he wants a senior position and feels he can get it elsewhere. There were no pistols at dawn."

Purves was on holiday and unavailable for comment as PrintWeek went to press.
Hodgson said he was still looking at other positions within the group, and admitted there would be more duplication and some further job losses.

Story by Gordon Carson