Before joining Brilliant, Clarke spent 23 years at the BT Group where he devised and implemented sales strategies that resulted in highly successful national and international sales teams.

Brilliant’s commercial director Richard Sewell remains a key part of the team and will continue to focus on operational processes across the network.

Brilliant’s principal shareholders are four of the UK’s leading regional laundries, Clean, Fresh Linen, County Linen and Paragon Laundry. The shareholders, together with its five key partners, run more than 20 laundries.

The Gloucestershire-headquartered group is set to enter “a new era of efficiency and growth,” said David Stevens, joint MD of Paragon Laundry and a Brilliant shareholder. He added: “We have every confidence that Clarke will help us further develop the business and deliver our ambitious growth targets, set against a difficult market, which will require efficient processes to ensure consistent returns.”