Donovan, who joins from the Switzerland-headquartered specialist ink manufacturer SICPA, where he worked for over eight years, including five years in a customer service manager role.

He will be based at Edale's head office in Hampshire he will head up the customer services deparment with responsibility for spares and services as well as incoming customer enquiries.

Edale managing director James Boughton said:

"Mike was recommended to me by an industry friend and his knowledge of the industry, as well as some background on the Edale product range, meant he was a great fit and we are confident he will be able to hit the ground running."

Edale has also recently appointed Caroline Williams within its purchasing department, Ollie Falconer to its expanded design team and Jemma Mansfield in its sales and marketing division.

Boughton said: "The new personnel are representative of Edale’s success over 2013 and I believe they will really help the rest of their teams to support our company – and our customers - as we continue to grow through 2014, and beyond."