The event, which included a networking barbecue, was organised by the BPIF and its Yorkshire special interest group CDI as well as The Stationers’ Company and Boss.

John Watson, brother of the late Victor Watson, former president of Print Yorkshire and chairman of Waddingtons, awarded the Certificate of Merit for the Victor Watson Trophy to freelance illustrator Lewis James Houghton. The award was picked up on Houghton’s behalf by Hilary Robinson, whose children’s books he had illustrated.

“The criteria for this award is a young person of outstanding achievement in the printing industry or industries related to that,” said Watson.

“Lewis James Houghton is an extremely successful children’s illustrator. He was taken out of school at the age of 14 and after that it became apparent that he had a real talent as an illustrator.

“This talent was picked up by The Prince’s Trust who encouraged him and gave him financial and training assistance and he was able to build a portfolio of clients.”

A highly commended certificate was also awarded to Chad Noble from Communisis, whose work in digital printing and special effects has reportedly saved the company £67,000 in costs per year.

The event also featured speeches from BPIF chief executive Charles Jarrold and CDI president Robert McClements, who thanked the event’s sponsors and partners and set out plans to continue to promote and grow CDI in the future. He also reminded attendees to save the date for the 2020 Visual Media Conference, which will take place on 7 April 2020.

The event was sponsored by Yorkshire accountancy firm Garbutt & Elliott and Ad:Venture, which supports start-ups and young businesses within the Leeds City Region.

Yorkshire designer and painter William Watson-West, the grandson of Victor Watson, was also in attendance, with his artwork on display and for sale on the day.