Last month the print industry lost its most ardent advocate, BPIF chief executive Kathy Woodward.
While her tenure at the BPIF was only a little over three years, it’s safe to say that her warmth, energy and enthusiasm ensured that among the many things she achieved while in office, the most obvious was “putting the fun back into the Fed”.
To achieve that she wanted the BPIF to be about more that just its members, so while publically her focus as chief executive was on supporting the membership, it was clear that in reality she believed her duty was to the entire industry.
“She transformed the BPIF, built a great team around her to help professionalise the Federation and she did a great deal of lobbying, not just for the BPIF but for the greater good of the whole industry,” says Tony Garnish, chief executive of ASG Europe and BPIF president.
The prime example, and her proudest achievement at the BPIF, was securing £1.1m of government funding to launch a graduate management programme specifically for the print industry.
Throughout her career a passion for people development was the one constant, but in recent years she was just as passionate about the fact that print needed to change, it needed evolve from seeing itself as a grey manufacturing industry into a vibrant creative one.
It was a message that resonated with those that ‘got it’, but sometimes rankled those that didn’t. But, more often than not, even the few that disagreed were won over by her knowing smile and reasoned arguments.
“She had spats from time to time – it would be impossible not to in her role – but because she had such great people skills, intellect and was a wonderful communicator, she got her points across and people followed her, she was a naturally inclusive leader,” says Garnish.
And that inclusiveness will hopefully be her lasting legacy. She believed that if the industry could pull in the same direction it would
be a force to be reckoned with. Not just today, but also tomorrow and the day after.
With the loss of Kathy Woodward the industry has lost not only a loyal and trusted friend, but a little of its sparkle too – hopefully we can get that sparkle back.
Career path
1980-1986 International Computers (ICL), where she became organisational development manager at the computing giant
1986-1989 British Newspaper Printing Corporation, development manager managing the cultural shift out of Fleet Street for the The Daily Mirror’s print operations
1989-1996 BPC, development director helping the 50-plus companies to become one unified business
1996-2002 Astron, group operations director, from its early days and through its merger with Tactica Solutions
2002-2007 Chief executive of telecoms start-up Fonebak, where she led an MBO in 2004 before taking it public in 2005
2007 Set up training provider Partnership Educations with Matthew Turner (a former non-executive director at Astron), acquired Management and Personnel Services
2009-2011 BPIF Training chair
2011-2014 BPIF, chief executive
Memories of Kathy: PrintWeek readers share their experiences of print’s keenest advocate
Simon Biltcliffe, chief executive, Webmart
“Kathy looked on people as a blank canvas and by spending time talking to you – or more specifically listening to you – she would envisage the perfect career picture for you and map out the skills and training that you would need to deliver it.
You never felt that she was too busy to help you and even now, 25 years on from when I first met her, I appreciated her counsel and always enjoyed working with her. She was wonderfully direct and honest.
You never forget people who take the time to help you in those formative years, and I certainly will never forget Kathy Woodward. Bless her.”
Darren Coxon, managing director, Pensord and BPIF board member
“The print industry has lost a quite remarkable person. Kathy was visionary, inspirational, hugely motivational and passionate - you just run out of superlatives to describe this real life super-woman. She achieved more than most, touched more than most and now will be missed more than most. Her passing is so very very sad.”
Barry Hibbert, chief Executive, The Polestar Group
“Kathy was both a colleague and a personal friend. She was a lovely
lady, and always great fun to be around. Not only did she bring me into the industry, but also introduced my wife and I. She had the rare ability of being able to get the best out of people and situations and we have lost a dear friend.”
David Mitchell, founder of Astron
“Kathy loved the industry and was a lioness when it came to speaking up for a sector that needed speaking up for. The printing industry was lucky to have her on its side.
Kathy also loved business – I cannot overstate her impact on me personally; undoubtedly the most significant appointment [at Astron]. We all learned from Kathy and her humanist approach to business and people was fun, exciting and infectious – we would speak for hours and hours, always looking to see how we could do things better.
She loved acquisitions and had boundless energy at times when the business needed it most.
Kathy has left her mark on all of us and she will be sorely missed.”
Gary Peeling, managing director, Precision Printing and BPIF board member
“Kathy was not only one of our industry leading lights but perhaps one of the most formidable business leaders I have ever had the pleasure to meet - an intoxicating combination of power and grace. Kathy would be the presence in any room no matter the company, machine minder or cabinet minister.
Kathy would often joke that I was her “Poster Boy” clearly not true, however she was an inspiration to me and many others and that most certainly is.”
Jacky Sidebottom-Every, director, Glossop Cartons
“When I was told that a woman was going to be BPIF CEO, I thought: ‘It’s going to be all high heels and power suits. How wrong was I; a warm, charismatic woman, a captivating speaker, a powerhouse in a cardie basically. Bless you Kathy, our industry will miss you, sadly gone too soon.”
Kay Smith, training & development director, BPIF
“Kathy was an inspirational leader and it has been my privilege to work with her. She was visionary, determined and hardworking. Kathy lead from the front and would always fight for what she believed in. Her energy and enthusiasm inspired all of those around her.
I am heartbroken at the loss of my friend who brightened my life. I will miss her daily calls, her wisdom and her humour. But most of all I will miss the fun and laughter we had.”
In her own words
“When people talk the industry down, I just don’t get it”
“You have to be bold and go for it”
“I don’t want to sound like Mother Theresa – because I’m not”
“One of the things we have to talk a lot more about as an industry is the ROI of print”
“I almost want to do an Astron story for the whole industry”
“If you can get your customers to buy in and really sell for you within their own organisations, then that’s when you know you’ve got a really powerful model”
“You should always think big and don’t think about where you’re standing now, think about where your potential can take you”
