20 (2014: 21)
Tony Garnish, ASG
Why “Unusually nice and grounded for someone at his level” was one comment on the ASG chief executive. ASG sold its US and Asian operations to MPS at the end of 2014 and Garnish presides over the remaining European operations. It will be interesting to see what new chief financial officer Michael Kennedy, previously head of transformation at glass and metal packaging giant Ardagh Group, brings to the firm. That and other moves suggest that Garnish may be embarking on a new phase of growing the company.
19 (2014: 17)
Alastair Watson, RR Donnelley GDS
Why With RR Donnelley planning to split into three separate businesses before the end of 2016 it’s exciting times ahead for head of GDS Watson. The firm is tight-lipped and expects the same discretion from staff, with strict rules against “fraternisation” making it hard to get any information beyond what it chooses to release, which isn’t much. Watson’s experience in the outsourcing market should come in handy as the division strikes out on its own. Will his degree in history help him take the lessons of the past and apply them to the future?
18 (2014: 28)
Mark Lapping, Coveris
Why Compared to 2014, where Lapping oversaw a number of acquisitions, the Coveris UK president had a relatively quiet 2015. According to one source Lapping, who spent five years in the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, is “honest, fair and candid”. A keen athlete, Lapping likes to do his bit for charity – in the past he’s competed in various sporting events to raise money for local and national charities, such as CLIC Sargent and Help for Heroes. He’s also a boss who likes to lead from the front, which inspires and motivates his team in equal measure. Although he might be the company’s top dog one source says Lapping is still very “down-to-earth, has a great sense of humour and he’s approachable at all levels”.
17 (2014: 19)
Robert MacMillan, HH Global
Why An exciting year for MacMillan. Having hit the long-held goal of £100m turnover last year, the HH Global chief has worked hard to ensure the business lives up to the second half of its moniker. Kicking off with the snaffling of industry heavyweight Steve Nunn to head up its EAMER operations it has added muscle to its Asia Pacific operations with Andrew Price, making a return to print management after a stint at troubled merchant Paperlinx, and Mike Perez to head up the Americas. The downside was the departure of long-term ally sales chief executive Tony Massey, who headed to rival Inner Workings.
16 (2014: 20)
Mike Phillips, Delta Group
Why Not satisfied with being the biggest wide-format business in the UK, Delta CEO Phillips has set his sights on worldwide domination; looking for acquisitions or partnerships that will boost the global footprint of the business he founded with Jason Auluk. As part of the growth plan Phillips has also been busy building a senior management team to take the business to the next level. While significant contract wins in the retail, communication and gaming sectors look set to help the business power through £70m mark this year, the entertainment sector will always be close to movie buff Phillips’ heart. “The film industry is where Delta first made its mark, so I think it will always be special for Mike,” says one colleague.
15 (2014: 24)
Robert Whiteside, Adare
Why Few power list members have been as busy as the Adare chief exectutive over the past 12 months, with the company undergoing a further strategic transformation. There was another MBO, integration of two existing businesses to create Adare SEC and the company also disposed of its non-core packaging business. Co-workers applaud his “energy, drive and vision,” and, with the two strategically focused businesses in place, he now appears to have the platform to grow Adare’s proposition, scale and geographic coverage. As part of this strategy Whiteside is “actively seeking acquisition opportunities for accelerated growth – so watch this space,” says a colleague. The self-confessed fitness fanatic enjoys trips to the gym, cycling and the great outdoors in his down time.
14 (New)
Charles Jarrold, BPIF
Why Jarrold’s tenure as the Fed’s chief executive didn’t get off to the flying start he hoped for at the beginning of 2015, mainly because he flew off his beloved mountain bike on some black ice and broke his ankle. But he soon got back in the saddle, and spent much of the year canvassing BPIF stakeholders, to help him shape his strategy for the Federation. One of his undisputed highlights was the “banging out” of the first Level 5 Management Programme graduates, a scheme launched by his late predecessor Kathy Woodward, “but 2016 will be his year, when we really start to see his vision for the future of the BPIF”, says a colleague.
13 (2014: 16)
Paul Utting, Wyndeham Group
Why Hola! We hear that Wyndeham’s chief executive is relishing the new continental flavour of his role, after Walstead Capital’s acquisition of Bertelsmann’s Spanish web and gravure operations provided Wyndeham with a sister operation on the mainland. He thinks Spain is “a great market” and we hear he’s even learning Spanish, so he’ll perhaps be describing Walstead chairman Mark Scanlon as el jefe in future, or possibly generalissimo. Always thoughtful and considered in everything he gets involved with, Utting understandably spends a lot of time pondering the possible future shape of UK publication printing. “Even now, prices are lower than they were a year ago,” he says.
12 (2014: 15)
Mark Cornford, Integrity Print
Why Cornford exudes positivity and his “strength and honour” approach to business involves building a team with the same ethos. Integrity’s managing director is something of a role model for print bosses looking to reinvent their offering. Faced with decline in his once core business forms and listings paper market, Cornford has built new revenue streams such as the paperwork required by internet retailers, and through M&A activity he’s built up a nice line in security printing and labels. Outside of work, his highlight over the past year will surely have been Wales’ victory over England at Twickenham in the Rugby World Cup.
11 (2014: 13)
Miles Linney, Linney Group
Why Planning officials recently approved plans to construct a new £5m three-storey office building at Linney’s huge Mansfield site, a further reason to be cheerful for its genial managing director Miles Linney. He says the firm’s design and video offering is going great guns, hence the need for more space, and the group’s diversification into added-value areas means it now operates more than 10,000 screens in stores and restaurants. The sport-loving Linney may not have made it to the Rugby World Cup (perhaps a good thing given England’s performance) but he was at Trent Bridge on that amazing day in August when Australia were all out for 60 in the Ashes.
