Why “He’s a charismatic guy who is very engaged with staff in all levels of the business,” says one colleague about Bailey, managing director of the marcomms and data specialist. The firm spent 2014 investing heavily in all areas. It became the first UK company to buy an HP Indigo 7800 digital press, invested in Tharstern’s MIS, had GMG colour management software installed and bought finishing kit from Horizon and Duplo. Still only in his late 30s, the keen Middlesbrough FC supporter is an “active individual” who shares his love of sport with his kids, who he regularly takes swimming or to gymnastics.
Why Nigel Jeffers is described as ‘a Zen-like enigma’ and sports a massive diamond earring. He’s spent 15 years at the helm of Harrier LLC transforming it from a giant mail order photo processing outfit best known for the TruPrint brand to a wholesale photo and trade digital print business. With the decline in photographic film, sales shrank from £30m to £12m, but this year are back up at £28m. Despite the drop, Jeffers navigated troubled waters without making a loss. With eight machines Harrier has the UK’s largest fleet of HP Indigos. In the last year it has invested heavily in high-quality finishing kit.
Why Deciding upon a new location, and then moving factories in just 10 days. Suffice to say that not many print bosses could pull this off, but Falkland Press managing director Lancaster managed it – just. Lancaster’s huge energy reserves are matched only by his tiny attention span, “His brain works like a wave-hopping radio, and if you don’t hop with him, you lose him,” notes one supplier to the business, who admits that trying to keep up with Lancaster can be hard work, but is also worthwhile. “He’s full of ideas – he’s a risk taker, and the industry could do with more people like him.”
Why One commenter on the public vote called Galloway an “outstanding visionary”. Passionate about print and immensely proud of Buxton, colleagues say Galloway’s “free-thinking yet quietly understated approach hides a steely determination to succeed”. They add that he commands “loyalty in his staff and fear and trepidation in his suppliers”. With a £15m spend on new kit in the past two years, not to mention a factory refit and expansion, Galloway has plenty to do to keep the firm thriving. Reassuringly for the rest of us, he deosn’t excel at everything – it is reported his golf game is below par.
Why Evans insists on being very hands-on with all aspects of Precision. “He just never stops, you have to run to keep up with him! It’s very exciting working with him because he’s always introducing new initiatives,” says one colleague.
Why As Haymarket Media head of production and procurement Charlton oversees the biggest B2B magazine production spend in the UK. In the last year he’s renegotiated the contract with the firm’s largest printer, Wyndeham. He’s “a thoroughly decent chap” who manages to walk the tightrope of doing the best for Haymarket and suppliers. Suppliers know where they are with Charlton, describing him as “firm but fair” with an open communication style whether praising performance or highlighting areas for improvement. He combines organisation and project management with attention to detail.
Why Sailing-mad Les Pipe is a print and publishing stalwart. After setting up repro house Kestrel, he went on to work at Fresh Media Group and then Wyndeham, before taking the reins at sister company Rhapsody. It’s been a very successful return, with him piloting a turnaround that has seen Rhapsody’s Emagine cross-platform publishing tool take the industry by storm. In the past 12 months the company has added Argos and Waitrose to its client base and a complementary system for Emagine is in the works. “It goes to show you can teach an old analogue dog new digital tricks,” says a chum.
Why This year marks The AA procurement manager’s Power 100 debut, even though he’s been in the industry since joining Hobbs the Printers as an apprentice in the late 1980s. The Man City season ticket holder’s biggest challenge this year was The AA’s amicable split from Saga, with Hennessey previously heading up print buying for both organisations. So after spending the past three or four years building a supplier base fit for both companies, he will now presumably have to go back to the drawing board to build a framework fit for The AA’s standalone circa £7m print spend.
Why Previously managing director of the events side of Fespa, at the end of last year Neil Felton stepped up to the role of chief executive, assuming responsibility for the association from Nigel Steffens. He brings the strategic vision and supportive leadership style that has grown the Fespa brand globally with new events in Brazil, China, Africa and Eurasia. Expect stronger relationships with country associations and the board. The natty dresser has his hands full outside work with two teenagers and two toddlers. Sometimes he gets in nine holes of golf come Friday afternoon if there’s time.
Why Printed.com continues to flourish under the “energetic” leadership of this discerning gentleman – this year, it helped parent company Tangent Communications boost pre-tax half-year profits by almost 50%. This is not a one-off, as Printed.com has posted sales increases in each of the past four years, proving that in an increasingly crowded and competitive market, it is doing something right. Part of the trick is innovation – in November it launched a collection of wedding stationery – and Green ensures his staff’s creative juices are flowing with a relaxed office where ‘fun’ is positively encouraged.
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