Valentine, who has been appointed by chief executive Ian George, said the appointment would effectively be on a full-time basis.

To begin with Valentine will be examining four key subject areas within the paper merchanting group, which would involve some initial contact with publishers.

Valentine left independent paper supplier Salehurst in 2002, with Terry Blyth taking on the role in an acting capacity.

The Salehurst Group was bought earlier this year by paper merchant WWF International UK, a subsidiary of US-based Gould Paper (PrintWeek 19 February).

by Andy Scott