Why Debuting in the Power 100 this year, Mark Lapping stepped up to the role of group chief executive at the turn of 2013, following a deal with Sun European Partners that saw the investor take a 51% share in the business, bolstering its position as UK market leader. A colleague praised Lapping for his impressive intellect and for "fully seizing the reins" and steering his management team successfully through the change of ownership. However, it was claimed that for this sharp operator with polo playing skills and ex-army credentials, "a quick change of reins on a powerful and spirited animal is something that comes quite naturally to him".
Why Not quite the meteoric rise that saw him take the number 43 spot last year, after completing an MBO of the business in December 2011, but moving up again none-the-less, the Benson Group managing director is forging ahead with his growth strategy. The first major hardware installation since the buyout came in March this year with a new Heidelberg XL106 going into company’s Bardon site. Benson is also set to become the first UK business to take delivery of the latest generation Bobst Expertcut 106, after Mark Kerridge signed for two of the devices. Known to be "a bit of a petrol-head", family man Kerridge, is described as a strategic thinker with a naturally ambitious nature.
Why Matt Jolly continues to impress at the head of John Brown Media’s production department. Colleagues like his easy manner and credit his ability to foster long-standing relationships. They also warm to his collaborative approach and respectful manner, ensuring suppliers are treated as an extension of John Brown’s team. The past year has seen an international focus with Jolly supporting the opening of a new Dubai office. He also went to Belgium for Sappi’s table football competition, "and that," quips his chum, "is the only European football he is likely to see, as he supports Gillingham".
Why Augustus Martin’s joint managing director Lascelle Barrow has plenty to celebrate… Point Of Purchase Printer of the Year and Bespoke Digital Printer of the Year in the PrintWeek Awards 2012, a brand new tenure as president of Fespa (his second since joining the board in 1991) and, most importantly, yet another hike up the Power 100 list. Spurs fan and father of six, Lascelle has been the heartbeat of the POS giant since he co-founded it at 19. Also the co-owner of Walkers Instore and speciality ink producer Small Products, his hands-on passion for print and new technologies ensures he’s never subject to boardroom boredom and his fingers remain on the pulse.
Why John Knight topped up his Heidelberg loyalty card last year after securing a £14m equipment deal with the German manufacturer at Drupa for a wide range of different machines, including three Speedmaster XL 106s, in addition to some state-of-the-art finishing kit, to boost capacity at his Essex-based print facility. According to a source that has done business with Knight, all meetings with the Anton Group chief executive start with a discussion about his beloved Spurs. Knight is renowned for being fiercely loyal to his staff – many of whom are family members – and suppliers, and he expects the same in return. "He’s down to earth and approachable, with deals done by handshake," adds the source.
Why The Hatfield company has come a long way since it made its inaugural appearance on our annual list of the UK’s top 20 print managers in the mid-2000s. Today the company has broken into the top 25 of PrintWeek’s Top 500 and is one of the country’s largest print management groups thanks to an impressive client list. Already active across 35 different European markets, Charterhouse chief executive Gary Mahoney pulled off a major coup in November last year when the £98m-turnover company was bought by Japanese giant Konica Minolta. According to the avid Arsenal fan, who we’re reliably informed has been known to pick up a guitar in public, the deal will allow Charterhouse to become a "truly global business".
Why With an exceptional eye for detail, Keith Dalton’s energy and tenacity know no bounds, according to one colleague. "He’s creative yet analytical and his passion for the print industry is clear for all to see." In 2013, the director of Fujifilm Graphics UK has been busy converting this passion into strong sales, despite the tough economic climate. Fuji enjoyed a successful Fespa, racking up a number of deals for the manufacturer’s ever-expanding portfolio of machines – the UK division also secured a world first when Glasgow-based Bell & Bain took a Jet Press 540W in June. When he’s not pounding the halls of print exhibitions, or taking an active role in supporting PrintIT!, you’ll find sports-mad Dalton on the squash courts, the golf course or watching rugby.
Why The past 12 months could have been a period of doleful navel gazing at Prinovis, shaken by the death of the News of the World in 2011. Yet managing director Richard Gray and his team are "quietly optimistic", says a colleague. Gray has helped spearhead sales strategies and identify new customers while working with staff and unions to smooth out reasonable pay deals and conditions. He’s big on bonding – Gray, a family man keen on sailing and rugby, recently had colleagues build a full-scale biplane model out of paper and bamboo as a team-building exercise. "Richard is empowering: he gives you autonomy and support, and it’s a great place to be when you work directly for him."
Why Last year saw Delta Group’s joint managing director Mike Phillips shoot 12 places up the list thanks, in part, to major technological investments and two accolades; from PrintWeek and Asda. This year sees him shift further up the list and here’s why…In the last 12 months, under Phillips’ "strong and innovative" joint leadership (alongside Jason Auluk), the Delta Group, and its sister companies Lick Creative and MPD, has secured more blue-chip clients such as Johnson & Johnson, Kimberly Clark and Paramount Home Media. Next year is likely to be even more exciting as the company continues to make capital investments and become the first POS specialist to install an HP Indigo 20000.
Why Debuting at number 37 in last year’s Power 100, the fact that the BPIF president and chief executive of ASG Europe has climbed six places this year is perhaps a testament to his leadership and calm in what has been a trying year for the packaging firm, with ASG closing its Swindon site in March as part of a restructuring and refocusing of the business. A source praised Tony Garnish’s ability to "helm the ship through very troubled waters" as well as his "100% open door policy". A self-confessed jazz fanatic, much to his colleagues’ bemusement, Garnish is also a lifelong Chelsea fan, although not of the players’ off-pitch antics, he stresses.
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