Jacobson's new role at Xerox will focus on global strategy, product development, sales and marketing and the support of Xerox’s production systems portfolio and related software and workflow products.

The appointment marks the third major print manufacturer that Jacobson has worked for after Presstek and Kodak, where he rose to chief operating officer of Kodak GCG after serving for five years as Kodak Polychrome Graphics chief executive.

Xerox technology president Armando Zagalo de Lima said that Jacobson’s experience would help Xerox remain "a respected leader in helping graphics communications clients profit and grow their businesses with our digital printing solutions."

Jacobson will take up his new role on 20 February.

Jacobson will be succeeded in his role at Presstek by Stanley Freimuth, who was Fujifilm USA chief operating officer, chief administrative officer and senior executive vice president from 2000 until 2007, and who spent nearly 25 years working for the manufacturer. Freimuth, who is currently working as a strategic advisor, has been a member of the Presstek board of directors since 2009.

Freimuth said he was "thrilled" to be joining Presstek and paid tribute to Jacobson for "steering the company through the most difficult waters in the memory of our industry".

Presstek has also appointed Arnon Dror as vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer, to replace Jeffrey Cook. Dror, previously Kodak director of worldwide channel management, will take up his new position on 9 February.