2023 Printweek Awards winners revealed

03 March 2023

Events

2023 Awards winners and a few photobombers

The UK print industry bathed in the reflected glory of the best the sector has to offer as the 2023 Printweek Award winners were unveiled at glittering ceremony at London’s iconic Brewery last night.

More than 600 guests attended the Awards dinner, which was hosted by award-winning comedian Russell Kane.

While a host of companies including Impress, Kingsbury Press, Precision Card Services, and Showcase Creative, scored-double wins, the night arguably belonged to Belfast-based Northside Graphics, which bested its 2017 SME of the Year win to be crowned the 2023 Company of the Year.

“It’s unbelievable, I genuinely can’t believe it,” said Northside managing director Gary White shortly after picking up his award.

“Our team is incredible, obviously I push very hard, but without them we could never have achieved this. Everything they do is about putting the customer first and I’m so proud.”

White immediately reported the win back to the team in Northern Ireland and said they were all elated.

“I just wish we could have bought more of them here to witness it,” he added.

White, centre: I genuinely can’t believe it

As well as securing an Innovation award, Precision Card Services triumphed in the SME of the Year category, after previously being the most consistently commended company for this Award.

“We are so proud, and so pleased – God loves a trier!“ quipped managing director Adam Unsworth, who did a mini-moonwalk with the trophy after returning to the firm’s table.

“It’ll be really nice going back to the office with the trophy – it wasn’t just a night out!” said Louise Ray, director of marketing and communications.

“We are genuinely happy. Louise deserves all the plaudits for the entry, and the team deserve all the plaudits for all their hard work,” Unsworth added.

“We’ve come out of the pandemic much stronger, and we’ve got a very tight-knit team. It’s a slightly smaller team, but a much more efficient team, and it shows. We’re all pulling in the same direction. This is the icing on the cake.”

Paul Hewitt, owner of Environmental Company of the Year – SME, Generation Press was equally effusive of his team.

“This was all about the team, it’s about everyone in the business contributing to change and being rewarded,” he said.

“It feels amazing, genuinely amazing. And I feel like we’ve completed a circle, we won a quality award last year and a business award this.

“So, I’m fulfilled, I’m retiring. I’m happy!” he joked.

Camberley-based Showcase Creative was a first-time winner, and carried off two awards: Bespoke Digital Printer of the Year, and Packaging Printer of the Year.

Director Jack Batey said he was delighted: “I wasn’t expecting to win even one award really!”

“We had an absolute blast. The whole evening was great fun and the entertainment was on point. We are over the moon with winning two awards and I am proud of the whole Showcase team. What an amazing night.”

All three of the talented young individuals on the Trainee of the Year shortlist received perhaps the loudest cheers of the night, with Charlie Cox from Berkshire Labels ultimately walking away with the prize, with high commendations for Paul Bisland from Tradeprint and Jay Patel from Micropress.

Cox was delighted by his win, telling Printweek: “The other people shortlisted have got the passion like I have so I thought I had no chance, I came more for the experience.”

He has been with the company for just over three years and works as a printer on HP Indigo kit.

“I came into print knowing absolutely nothing about it. I did computers at college and a little bit of graphics. My uncle actually works for Berkshire Labels and introduced me to the company.

“I didn’t realise how much passion there was behind labels – you go round a shop, pick a bottle up and just chuck it in your bag, but then I realised how much work goes into that, and being part of that family for three years I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love working with the people I work with – people know what they’re talking about, there’s help always there for you and now I’m helping people who have just started.”

Cox said he aspires to become a team leader, with engineering skills, so that he can pass his skills on to future generations.

Scroll down to see the full rundown of the 2023 Printweek Awards winners.