30 Gary Mahoney     (28)
Charterhouse
Why Mahoney has continued to drive Charterhouse's growth over this past year with a succession of contract wins, marred only by the loss of T-Mobile to Communisis. Despite being known, on occasion, to take things personally in relation to his Hatfield-based print management company, Mahoney was gracious in defeat, accepting that after 13 years it was probably time for a change. Certainly, his philosophical mood will have been helped by the company's pan-European contract win the following month with global brewery giant Carlsberg, which Mahoney said would "cement our position as a truly European print management company". Well-respected among his PM peers, Mahoney has a shrewd eye for investment and will no doubt be keeping his options open    p with regards to potential mergers and acquisitions in the current economic climate. He is described by one voter as "Mr Nice Guy".
He says "Print management is said to be going through hard times, but we've proved that good companies are still winning work"
They say "He's at the vanguard of print management"

29 Catherine Hearn     (36)
Polestar
Why As Barry Hibbert's right-hand woman and chief operating officer at Polestar, Catherine Hearn is charged with executing Barry's plans. Having joined the group as human resources supremo, there was a degree of cynicism among hardbitten old print lags when she moved into the role of chief operating officer. However, Hearn's cool professionalism, steely determination and attention to detail have impressed. "She's a doer, she gets things done," notes one source. "She doesn't crowd Barry's space and she makes him better than he would be on his own." Hard-working Hearn also manages to keep pace with Hibbert's high-octane style and there's a warmer side to that cool exterior once she gets to know you. And let's face it, whatever ultimately transpires at Polestar is likely to involve a massive human resources exercise, making Hearn the perfect woman for the job.
She says "The most enjoyable thing about my job is a factory buzzing with great performance on great titles"
They say "If I was Pat Martell I'd have Catherine very much in my sights"
 
28 Sidney Bobb     (27)
BAPC
Why Quite simply, when the chairman of the BAPC speaks, manufacturers listen. It's been a busy year for Bobb - the current economic climate has meant that his organisation's services have been called on more than ever before. However, you won't hear him complain: "That's what we're here for, to help the industry and support our members," he says. Networker extraordinaire - if Bobb doesn't know someone in the kit manufacturing or supply world, they're probably not worth knowing - he uses this influence to promote his members' interests on numerous occasions. A keen traveller and foodie, "he's always thinking of other people and how he can help, his goal is to get people to work together better and smarter," says one colleague.
He says "Right now, unfortunately, it seems that it's only us [industry bodies] and undertakers that are still busy"
They say "There are no airs and graces about Sidney, if something needs to be said he'll say it"

27 Robert MacMillan     (25)
HH Associates
Why HH Associates' apparent plan for global domination has continued to gather pace in the past year, all under the watchful eye of chief executive MacMillan, whose success has been attributed to the entrepreneurial approach he encourages among HH staff. Having guided the company into Europe as one of the earliest overseas expanders, MacMillan opened offices in the US and India within the space of a few months last year. In March this year, the firm opened its first office in China after winning a contract with an unnamed international technology company. This all helped HH win its first ever Queen's Award for Enterprise, for increasing overseas earnings by 60% over the past three years. Couple this to recent contract wins and renewals with the likes of Asda and it's no wonder the company was able to post a 100% increase in pre-tax earnings in its half-year results.
He says "We are now a global supplier to global businesses"
They say "Print management is like a religion to him"

26 Mark Shaw     (21)
Bezier
Why It has been a tumultuous and triumphant 12 months for Bezier's managing director, characterised by consolidation and contract wins. The group has been hit by a downturn in demand for screen print, which led to more than 30 jobs being cut at Wakefield, while a further 70-plus positions were made redundant following the consolidation of its Thurrock premises. It has been far from all doom and gloom, though, as the group recently celebrated the success of contract extensions with Argos, Homebase and Kimberly-Clark.
He says "We realise that in order to continually offer outstanding value we need to operate in the most effective manner possible"
They say "Shaw has not shied away from the difficult decisions that need to be made in order to guarantee the continued profitable success of the group"

25 Debbie Read     (20)
Bauer Consumer Media
Why One of the most powerful print buyers in the sector, Read admitted that Bauer made some "difficult decisions" relating to the eagerly anticipated tender for the former Emap consumer titles. The upshot was that Wyndeham retained     p 18 magazines, with St Ives and Southernprint also benefiting. But it had an unfortunate knock-on effect for Cooper Clegg, which was wound up following the loss of the Bauer contract. Read acknowledged that it's a "difficult market" and you'd be hard pressed to find anyone disagreeing with that. Like all production directors, Read is having to find savings, something she delivered in her previous role at IPC. Known for having one of the best print brains in the industry, group production director Read will have to call on all of her experience to help Bauer get through these choppy waters.
She says "We want to work with suppliers with a secure future"
They say "I am sure Debbie knows what she is doing"

24 Paul Utting     (7)
Wyndeham Press Group
Why Crikey. What a year it's been for Wyndeham and its
can-do chief executive Utting. In normal circumstances, a drop from 7th to 24th in the rankings would be indicative of some seriously questionable management decisions. Not so for Utting, who has at times seemed to have been conspired against by the print gods. This time last year, the rosy future promised by the group's new ownership under FL Group and Landsbanki was already starting to look a little rocky, as rumours circulated that its Icelandic owners were looking to offload the company. By October FL Group, or Stodir as it was by then known, had fallen into administration and Landsbanki had completely collapsed, leading to its nationalisation. Furthermore, Wyndeham's business account was briefly frozen by the Treasury under anti-terror legislation. Since then, things have improved, although only just. Wyndeham's acquisition by Walstead Investments staved off a potentially more unpleasant fate, however, it has so far come at the cost of around 200 redundancies across the group. In the plus column, commitments from key clients IPC Media, Haymarket and NatMags have given the company a vote of confidence.
He says "What we are doing is in response to the marketplace"
They say "He's kept Wyndeham alive"

23 Peter Romaine     (NEW)
Xerox Global Services
Why As the UK head of one of the largest BPO companies in the sector, it would be remiss not to include director and general manager Peter Romaine. A ‘non-nerdy' maths graduate and Xerox ‘lifer', he's been with the company for more than two decades and is described by customers as having an intimate understanding of corporate clients' needs. According to colleagues, the keen sailor's inclusive management style has also led to a more joined up approach at XGS. On the downside, XGS's implementation of a £2,500 administration fee on successful candidates in a tender process last December was seen as a slightly less than charitable act.
He says "I need to understand this. Explain it to me in detail"
They say "He's very good at building new and growing existing client relationships"

22 Richard Gray     (22)
Prinovis
Why Managing director of Prinovis Liverpool, Gray has needed all of his skills having lost his sales director, Ross Borton, in March this year. But on the upside, Prinovis clinched a valuable contract from HH Associates to print the Asda Direct Catalogue; a significant deal, not only because it brought the printing of the publication back to the UK, but also because Prinovis's technical capabilities were a decisive factor. Gray is certainly fully aware of the challenges that face the industry, but his response is two-fold: capitalise on new technology and go green. So far, more than £130m has been invested at Liverpool, which has just taken on the final tranche of its massive News International contract. He believes new technology will help keep contracts in the UK and keep order books strong.
He says "We need to continue delivering extremely high-quality products quickly, cost effectively and in an environmentally conscious way"
They say "He's an experienced magazine specialist"

21 Laurence Roberts     (17)
Agfa
Why It's been a somewhat subdued year for Agfa's UK managing director, who hasn't been quite his usual outspoken self. The rosy start to the past 12 months, which kicked off with €100m (£84.5m) worth of Drupa sales, including €10m from the UK, had given way to the economic downturn. Agfa announced a €120m cost cutting plan in October, in light of the worsening economy, although thanks to the notoriously tight ship run by Roberts, the UK outfit managed to avoid major job cuts. Renowned for his business acumen and attention to financial detail, Roberts takes great pride in keeping Agfa's name off the creditors lists of failed companies - a talent which has no doubt been tested more and more often of late. The coming year will continue to test Roberts' abilities, as he guides Agfa's UK arm through the recession.
He says "I want to supply people who are going to pay and, at the moment, cash is king"
They say "Truthful to customers and staff, totally customer focused, will always do his best for the customer"

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