50 (2014: 54)
Robin Welch, GI Solutions
Why A wind of change has blown through GI Solutions this year, following a restructure of the firm’s senior management team that saw former managing director Welch appointed group chief executive. Over the past 12 months he has overseen the launch of creative and artworking agency GI Red and a new manila envelope wrap product as well as investment in new Duplo machinery. One colleague, who describes Welch as “a dynamic and energetic leader setting the vision for the future of communication”, says he is “always pushing for the next best thing for customers and looking to deliver value”.
49 (2014: 55)
Andrew Jones, Stephens & George
Why Managing director Jones has spearheaded a year of investment at 103-year-old Merthyr Tydfil-based printer Stephens & George, overseeing the installation of two Speedmaster XL 106s – one in March and another in July. The business also signed a five-year contract with Agfa to use its Azura TU chemistry-free plates. “He’s honest, trustworthy and reliable and has a great knowledge of the industry,” says one colleague of Jones, who has more than 35 years’ experience. A family man who loves his sport, Jones attended the England v Wales Rugby World Cup match at Twickenham in September and watched his beloved Dragons slay the host nation.
48 (2014: 48)
Shaun Hodgkinson, Dorling Kindersley
Why As Dorling Kindersley’s global operations director Hodgkinson has had an extremely busy year, colleagues say. He is responsible for technology, production, distribution, procurement and asset management for the Penguin imprint and has renegotiated supplier contracts across all operations, including print in China, Europe and the US. When he’s not jetting around the world ensuring the company’s production runs smoothly, one co-worker said that “Shaun is a keen runner with an avid interest in history. He loves to spend his spare time teaching his daughter how to swim.”
47 (2014: 52)
Roger Birkin, IDG
Why There he is, on the touchline supporting his grandchildren having football and rugby kick-abouts. The chairman of imageData Group, with bases in East Yorkshire and East Sussex, needs to let off steam occasionally. Last week, explains a colleague, Birkin was overseeing the installation of a new Inca Onset X3 as part of an investment of about £1m. “Roger is an entrepreneurial leader at the forefront of data-driven print and is spearheading our mission to be the leading independent print and communications company in the UK and beyond.” He therefore tends to be “very hands-on” in most things, explains the colleague.
46 (2014: 49)
Dave Broadway, CFH Docmail
Why In anyone’s book, a 37% increase in sales is something to behold, but when that increase is more than matched by profits – then the temptation is to get down on your knees and hail the new print Messiah. A devout follower of the ‘Theory of Constraints’, fully signed up member of the ‘Twitterati’ and unashamed fan of electric cars, especially his Tesla Model S, CFH managing director Broadway is described by colleagues as a “visionary leader, honest and with no ego”. “I think its safe to describe Dave as a thought leader, its just that sometimes he’s perhaps a little bit too keen to share those thoughts,” jokes one peer.
45 (New)
Trevor Janes, Tesco
Why 2015 has been as busy as ever for Tesco procurement manager Janes, who oversees a vast amount of print. His main areas of responsibility are direct mail, Clubcard mailings, local impact mailings and all mailed staff communications while he is also the buyer for all of Tesco’s UK POS and the retailer’s contact for all of its downstream access activity. “Trevor knows his stuff, has an eye for detail with numbers and always brings clarity to an issue, seeing the answer before most,” says one colleague about Janes, a keen endurance cyclist who enjoyed a family camping trip to France in the summer.
44 (2014: 44)
Mark Gibbons, William Gibbons
Why This time last year, William Gibbons’ joint managing director was facing the aftermath of a serious fire that destroyed one of the firm’s web presses and damaged a building. Normal service was restored, and a replacement web installed within months. “They showed strength in depth in the way they dealt with the fire,” says one customer. “Some companies would have gone to pieces in times like that. They pulled together and stoically got on with it. And they had effective contingency planning and disaster recovery in place.” With his brother – fellow joint managing director David – the Gibbons pair are described as “reassuringly straightforward”.
43 (2014: 46)
Richard Moross, Moo
Why Moross’ year started with a gong, getting an MBE for services to entrepreneurship. Moo continued its upward trajectory, rolling out new products and secured £3m of funding, some of which was used to develop its Paper+ business cards. However, his year almost ended with a bang when a Back-to-the-Future-themed stunt at the launch of Paper+ back-fired when a faulty smoke machine summoned a fire engine. We may not need roads in the future but thanks to his efforts to keep it relevant there’ll be a place for print.
42 (2014: 50)
Nick Snelson, APS Group
Why “Nick’s entrepreneurial spirit is an important cornerstone of the business and APS Group’s brand,” says one co-worker. Described as being incredibly driven and loyal, by colleagues, it’s clear that Snelson loves a challenge. Since he took on the role of managing director – the business was originally founded by his grandfather in 1961 as Allied Publicity Services – he’s risen to the challenge of turning the printing company into an organisation that also offers finishing and mailing fulfilment services. One of the highlights of his career to date was being named in the 2014 Top 100 Prolific Northerners, a list of the north’s leading creative industry and media figures.
41 (2014: 47)
David Laybourne, Real Digital International
Why Described by one colleague as a “real team player, who always leads from the front” Laybourne is definitely one of the industry’s more thoughtful bosses. Except, that is, when it comes to buying new speedboats to drag the water-skiing RDI managing director at ever increasing breakneck speeds – one of the few purchasing decisions where his heart most definitely rules his head. The opposite is true when it comes to investing in kit, when the team prides itself on the most vigorous of procurement processes. One of the highlights for the business in the past 12 months is the traction RDI has gained in expanding its fulfilment services.
