David Jones has been brought in to steer the group through the preparations for listing on the Alternative Investment Market.
His past experience includes a recent stint as deputy chairman of supermarket chain Morrisons, in addition to his earlier chairmanship of Next.
According to Martin Smith, chief executive of The Direct Marketing Group, the group is looking to acquire further direct marketing agencies and support service providers.
The group comprises: DMS, the specialist fundraising agency; Millennium, a direct agency focused on mature consumers; PushButton, a data management bureau; and Coltec, a print and lettershop company.
Last week, it acquired Whitewater, a London-based fundraising agency, and JDA, a Leeds-based full service agency.