Burnell had served as managing director of the Birmingham direct mail and print firm since 2013. She worked at the company from 2008, officially leaving in December last year. A statement from Bakergoodchild said she stepped down for personal reasons.

The company thanked Burnell for her work and said she left the firm “in excellent shape”. Chief executive Bruce Thomson has now returned to a more hands-on role to fill her managerial duties, while new hire Barr will fill in on the financial side of her job.

Barr joined as Burnell stepped down in December, coming from a job in the oil and gas sector. He has previously worked in finance for various UK print companies, most recently Polestar Applied Solutions in Nottingham. He also has history working at Polestar Chantry in Wakefield, Polestar Petty in Leeds, and Southernprint in Dorset.

“Already I have had quite a lot to do, though it is still very early days,” he said. “We have plenty of room to grow in both digital print and mailing, which are our core strengths.

“Bakergoodchild have made me feel very much at home, and this is a sector I am familiar with. There is a great working relationship with the directors and I am finding the job very enjoyable so far.

“I am originally from Birmingham and I lived away for several years before moving back to start my previous job in 2010. It’s been lovely to be home around friends and family.”

As Bakergoodchild moves out of its transitionary period, it is looking to invest in a new MIS  to modernise its print and mailing services, and to expand its offering.

Though no explicit plans have been put in place to expand the 65-strong team, Barr said that “if our plans come to fruition we will be looking to increase numbers to match our volume”.

In 2017, the £9m-turnover business installed GMC Inspire document management software and Xerox Nuvera laser presses to its 2100sqm premises, joining a portfolio including Xerox and Konica Minolta presses, Kern mailing equipment, and laminators and polywrappers for finishing.