20 George Clarke     (19)
Heidelberg UK
Why Although the past 12 months have been testing for George Clarke and Heidelberg as a whole, the UK managing director has accomplished much. Described by colleagues as an inspirational leader who expects high standards from both colleagues and from himself, Clarke has had to oversee the closure of Heidelberg's Leeds site and showroom conversion at Brentford in a difficult 2009. Away from Heidelberg, Clarke was appointed chairman of PrintIT! in March and is also  president of trade show Ipex 2010. In this time, he has also maintained his role as chairman of Picon. While co-workers question if he's a megalomaniac, they are in no doubt he seems to like power, "but with each role he brings wisdom and enthusiasm". Clarke and Heidelberg were also applauded for taking the unprecedented step of refusing credit to companies emerging from pre-pack deals that fail to show a willingness to repay debts owed by the former company.
He says "Offering a good service is and always will be our biggest priority. We feel that we already do it well, but we want to do it better"
They say "A gentleman and a scholar leading Heidelberg through some rocky times"

19 Alastair Watson     (15)
RR Donnelley GDS
Why While the director of strategic sourcing has been quiet this year, his parent company has been making the headlines. Only last month, RR Donnelley offered to buy the assets and properties of its insolvent rival Quebecor World in the world's largest ever print merger - an offer that has since been dropped. Back in the UK, the mooted sale of GDS didn't materialise, while there was controversy after it increased its transaction fee with suppliers; it hardly endeared them to the print community, but it's a sign of the times and demonstrates the tricky job Watson has in keeping the costs down for the division's high profile clients - ING Direct and Barclaycard to name but two. Watson has a reputation for having a sharp and shrewd mind and in the current economic climate, that could be a valuable asset for one of print's giants.
He says "There is still profit in print"
They say "He's in a position of financial strength in the group"

18 Jasper Scott     (18)
IPC Media
Why This time last year, we noted IPC's manufacturing director was "the man of the moment" as suppliers eagerly awaited the results of his print tender. Twelve months on and Scott has just launched a review for some £10m of Southbank titles, ensuring his position remains just as influential. The bulk of the titles under review are currently printed by St Ives, so Scott's decisions could have a significant effect on the future shape of UK web printing. His favourable views of the Southernprint team under Charles Jarrold are no secret, but equally he's clever enough to realise that a wholesale removal of titles from St Ives would have a detrimental impact on his future choice of print suppliers. Scott is no stranger to controversy, though some associates feel he'd be wiser to keep some of his views to himself. The part he played in the return of Les Pipe as group development director at Wyndeham isn't clear, but the latter's role as IPC's sole pre-press supplier means Scott is no doubt keeping a close eye on events at the company.
He says "One of my biggest priorities and concerns is that we award contracts to someone who'll still be around in three years' time"
They say "Jasper has been courted more times than Madonna and he loves it"

17 Richard Gray     (26)
BPIF/Vision in Print
Why The driving force behind Vision in Print, Gray has worked tirelessly in his efforts to push the print industry towards a leaner, meaner future. His preaching of lean manufacturing has made several sit up and take notice. Those that have enlisted his help say Gray is a man who shows "good initiative". He's also fully clued up to the uncertain future that print faces and has warned that printers need to be radical in the actions they take to adapt to the new credit climate. Inside the BPIF, Gray is seen has a having a direct management style, with high expectations of others. But he pushes himself as well and his straight talking is appreciated by many in the industry. When he does get a chance to haul himself away from work, cricket is one of his big passions.
He says "We are in for a tough year or two and it will be those that are pro-active in responding to the challenge that prosper"
They say "He is helping businesses to defy industry trends and aiming to transform print into a true 21st century sector."

16 Robert Whiteside     (11)
Adare 
Why Topping the public vote this year, the esteem with which Adare chief executive Robert Whiteside is held in the industry cannot be underestimated. The tireless entrepreneur has spent the past 12 months winning new p contracts, investing in new technology and expanding Adare's global reach in Africa and beyond. The company is doing well in the recession, winning "more work than ever" and Whiteside is preparing for exponential growth once the upturn comes. Those that voted for him describe him as an "inspirational leader" and praised him for the company's "unbelievable" growth in Europe. Whiteside has worked his way up through the ranks at Adare and knows the company inside out, which is perhaps at the root of his vision for the business. He has not shied away from investment in the recession and most recently completed a £2.5m spend on a site move plus new kit for Adare subsidiary Kalamazoo. In addition, he recently refinanced the business, putting the company on a firm financial footing for the future.
He says "We haven't got the best presses in the market. Nor do we fight on price. For us, it is about the technology - and we have the best technology"
They say "He is a cool and steady hand on the tiller, always watching for the next opportunity"

15 Mark Scanlon     (NEW)
Walstead Investments 
Why The second highest new entrant in the 2009 Power 100, Mark Scanlon returned to print with a bang this year with his surprise acquisition of the then all-but-stricken Wyndeham Press Group in December 2008. This followed his partial funding of John Wood's ill-fated acquisition of Cooper Clegg the previous month, together with co-investors and fellow former-Vertis owners Richard Fookes and Stephen Hargrave. Despite a three-year absence from the industry, which some suggested has not been long enough, Scanlon continues to divide opinion. An investor and restructuring specialist, he has been described as a ruthless businessman with an eye for an opportunity. However, regardless of your opinion of him, you have to admire the speed with which he was able to acquire and restructure Wyndeham into a slimmer outfit, better suited to survive the then-looming recession.
He says "Paul's got a mandate to improve the performance of the group and in particular Heron... depending on how the process evolves, decisions will be made"
They say "I met the man and I couldn't see any horns"

14 Brian McGee     (16)
Newsprinters
Why McGee had his work cut out stepping into the shoes of print behemouth Ian McDonald, but he has made the role of managing director his own and has had a very busy year. McGee has had to bed in three new print plants at Eurocentral, Knowsley and Wapping, the latter being considered by many to be the most technologically advanced print site in the world. He has also had the task of integrating The Telegraph into his titles. The new sites have brought about a massive increase in capacity, so the company is dealing with the transformation to contract printer. Of course, all of this has taken place at a time when the newspaper sector is suffering from loss of advertising revenue and pagination. So having the calming influence of an uncompromising Scouser is probably everything the company could hope for. Going forward, his print runs could increase should News International bid for, and win, the Transport For London morning newspaper contract, but with everything he has had thrown at him since taking the role, he shouldn't be too fazed.
He says "The way that paper is presented to customers is no different from 20 years ago, but we have moved on a long way. I think their [paper suppliers'] attitude needs to be brought into the 21st century"
They say "He has achieved a near flawless transition to News International's new world class production plants in Eurocentral, Knowsley and Broxbourne"

13 Peter Taylor     (14)
Xerox UK
Why Described as a "make it happen" man who has shown leadership during economically challenging times, Taylor is a good 18 months into his tenure as director of production and graphic arts. Charged with changing the company's UK and Ireland market strategy for the production business, while also bringing new Xerox mono and colour continuous-feed printers to market, he's certainly got his hands full at the moment. However, his efforts appear to be paying off already. According to Xerox, the manufacturer has secured 59% of the placements in the mono continuous-feed arena in the UK in 2008 with Taylor also overseeing the launch of the Xerox iGen4. To his colleagues, Taylor is "energetic and very driven in exceeding the targets and goals set by both himself and the organisation". Outside of the office, Taylor is an avid Manchester United fan and is open to the occasional flutter on the poker table.
He says "The investment in print technology and workflow are two areas of improvement that the UK print industry is evaluating in order to deliver increased value to end-users"
They say "He understands what customers require and will continue to rise within this strong organisation"

12 Andrew Pindar     (4)
Pindar
Why A mixed year for Pindar's chairman, who was awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours list and received his gong from Prince Charles earlier this month. The Pindar family's devotion to good works for business and the community are unquestionable (his father Tom is also an OBE), but unfortunately the decision to buy Cooper Clegg involved bad luck in the shape of a disruptive flood. Ultimately, it turned out to be both questionable and costly, hence Pindar's slide in the rankings. After selling the Tewkesbury company just 18 months after buying it, to new owners who then closed it down in short order, the Pindar brand was tainted by association with the unpaid debts that resulted from the closure. That said, Pindar is still seen as one of the industry's best brains, with great energy and vision and a constant desire to improve and develop the Pindar offering. If things had turned out differently in the web market, he would have been hailed as a mastermind - as it is, he is the first to admit that on this occasion, he called it wrong. An amazing networker, his influential connections stretch across the globe - as demonstrated by the Kingdom of Bahrain's sponsorship of the Pindar racing yacht in the latest Vendée Globe round-the-world race. While he's praised for constantly striving to add value, there's also a view that he should perhaps spend less time worrying about the woes of the industry overall and what others are doing.
He says "We can always be better"
They say "Relationships and Andrew's own integrity in business are paramount"    

11 Michael Johnson     (10)
BPIF 
Why "Johnson needs to act quick and get print back on its feet," says one clearly worried industry commentator. While the BPIF chief executive might not be able to fix all of print's problems by himself, he has plenty on his plate right now. The recession has well and truly sunk its fangs into the print industry and is refusing to let go, but Johnson is also tackling issues such as the environment, health and safety, the public perception of print, and training. The BPIF's head has his supporters; there is a view that he can really make a difference in these tough economic times and take up print's causes with Unite and the government. Johnson is a man with plenty of energy and drive, but takes time out to gauge the mood of members. While he may have slipped out of the top 10, Johnson remains a major player in an industry that needs his self-assured and straight-talking nature more than ever.
He says "What we need in times like these are leaders, not followers"
They say "He has the power to guide the trade through rough times"

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