Parcelforce operations director Peter Fuller is leaving the company after almost 20 years at the company, to take up the same role at rival UK Mail.

He replaces Carl Moore who, according to a statement from UK Mail, has stepped down from the company board with immediate effect and has left his job to “pursue other interests”.

Fuller will begin his new role in early 2016.

UK Mail chief executive Guy Buswell said: "I wish to thank Carl for his contribution to the Company's development and wish him every success for the future.

"We look forward to welcoming Peter Fuller to UK Mail.  He has a wealth of experience in parcel distribution, particularly with the automated operation at Parcelforce, and will have a key role to play in the future development of UK Mail."

Earlier this week UK Mail said its prediction that this year’s profits would be down was correct, following “teething problems” with machinery at its new automated hub which turned out to be incompatible with the parcel company’s operation.