Quinn will join the security printer at the end of March as chief executive designate, officially taking over from Much on 31 May.
As chief operating officer of the production management arm of Invensys for three years, Quinn was responsible for 11,800 staff in 43 countries and with sales of 1.3bn.
Quinn brings a wealth of experience in global business and this will serve him well, said De La Rue chairman Sir Brandon Gough.
Much retires after five and a half years at the group. Last month there were rumours of a potential bid for the company by a venture capital firm after its share price jumped by 6.6% in one day (PrintWeek, 12 February).
Gough said: I would like to thank Ian Much for his significant contribution to the groups development over the past five and a half years and to wish him well in his retirement.
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