WASHINGTON-BASED based Simpson Group has been bought in a management buyout that will see the family founders hand over the reins of the £11m turnover business.

The print company was formed in 1972 by Bill Simpson and now employs more than 100 staff in the North-East.

It focuses on point of purchase print for the retail sector, with customers such as Tui, Next, Matalan, BetFred and B&M on its customer list.

Mark Simpson, along with his brother and sister as minor shareholders, will exit the business to pursue new interests.

Current managing director Bill McNally, and finance director John Quinn, will stay to lead the new management team through a period of transition.

In August, the new management team will take over, led by managing director Dean Williams, who has a 30-year career in the print industry.

He joined Simpson Group as a YTS trainee, re-joining again as sales director in 2011.

Supporting Dean will be Mark Jerrard as commercial director, David Dowson as production director and Sarah Tishler as training and development director, all of whom have been with the business for more than 10 years.

David Darcy, of Vistage International, who has more than 20 years’ experience working with the previous and new management teams, will join as non-executive chairman.

Mark Simpson said: “We have been working for several years on a succession plan to ensure we continue our growth into the future.

"I am delighted Dean Williams and the new management team will have the ongoing support of Bill McNally, John Quinn and David Darcy as they take on the reins and deliver an exciting future for Simpson Group.”

Dean Williams, speaking on behalf of the senior management team, said: “We have been closely involved in drafting the three-year business plan for some time, so we are excited to drive forward our future growth plans in both retail and in new vertical sectors, and are especially looking forward to continued investment in technology to create high-value jobs here in the North-East.”

Legal advice was provided by commercial law firm Square One Law and Ward Hadaway, with accountancy firm Tait Walker providing corporate finance support and funding provided by Santander.