He arrived there on Monday (4 April) following the departure from the Nottingham site of the previous incumbent, Gary Evans.

Caley, a former Polestar group commercial director who left the company in January 2004, said that he was unaware of the circumstances behind Evans' departure.

He said: "I'm really excited about this. I like the challenge, and Polestar Chromoworks is a good company with an exciting customer list."

Caley has been working in a similar consulting role at Polestar Purnell for the past few months. He said that the period of his contract at Chromoworks was "as long as a piece of string".

Neither Gary Evans nor Chromoworks site director Peter Greaves were available for comment.

Story by Josh Brooks