70 (New)
David Crow, Johnston Press
Why A £12m contract win with Express Newspapers to print is four northern titles got Johnston group managing director of print and logistics, David Crow, off to a very healthy start this year. Originally training as an electrical engineer and working for GEC, Crow turned to print “living through the craziness of the Fleet Street years” which were the foundations for his deep understanding and knowledge of the industry. “An absolute gentleman”, “incredibly fair” and “great fun” are just some of the phrases used to describe the man who one associate says is “as comfortable talking to hairy-arsed printers as he is to the suited top brass”.
69 (2014: 75)
David Nestor, First 4 Print Finishing
Why Recently securing the SME of the Year gong at the PrintWeek Awards, Blackburn-based First 4 Print Finishing is going from strength to strength under the guidance of youthful managing director Nestor. The company expanded into a purpose-built premises at the start of the year and has continued to invest in new finishing lines. According to one associate: “David’s biggest attribute is his love of the industry, he lives print day in day out and trade finishing is his main passion.” A family man, Nestor is said by colleagues to have an infectious sense of humour and when not living and breathing print he’s likely to be getting a fix of Formula 1 action.
68 (2014: 70)
Jon Bailey, ProCo
Why ProCo managing director Bailey has reached ‘the big 4-0’ this year, celebrating with a week in Vegas, but the father of three has had little time to relax in 2015. Aside from overseeing the installation of an HP Indigo 10000 B2 digital press in the summer, Bailey’s primary focus has been on the company’s people. Described as “a truly transformational leader” by one colleague, Bailey has helped to create a culture of education throughout the company, which has this year launched ‘ProCo University’, an initiative that makes a number of internal and external learning opportunities available to everyone in the business.
67 (2014: 71)
Graham Prichard, National Trust
Why Responsible for overseeing the Trust’s significant print spend, including 2.3 million copies of its flagship triannual magazine and 2.7 million copies of its members’ handbook, which at 436 pages for next year is 32pp up on 2015’s, Prichard carries a lot of clout. One associate describes him as a tough but fair negotiator and adds: “There is not much Graham does not know about printing and publishing.” When not applying his impressive knowledge and experience of the industry for the benefit of the National Trust, Prichard is known to enjoy a game of golf and a couple of beers while watching the rugby.
66 (2014: 68)
Jon Lancaster, Falkland Press
Why Two years after moving into new premises Falkland Press has continued to invest in kit and people while steadily increasing turnover. According to one industry peer, managing director Lancaster “has an incredibly agile mind, his ability with numbers is second to none and he is a brave pioneer, willing to take huge risks but intelligent enough to pull it off.” A lover of all things fast and furious, whether they have four wheels or a feeder, Lancaster also loves a get together and encourages the whole workforce to join in for drinks, curry nights and BBQs in the car park.
65 (2014: 72)
Noel Warner, Inc Direct
Why Inc’s “inspirational” chief executive Warner is famed for his attention to detail: “He stopped a board meeting once after he noticed one of the light bulbs had gone, it started again after a new bulb was found,” jokes one colleague. Borderline OCD aside, It’s been another year of diversification for Inc, with the firm adding wide-format to its core data-driven, multi-media direct marketing offering. It’s also been a year marked with significant client wins in the retail space, a growth area for the business, helping to boost sales by well over 10% in the past year, which has ensured that Inc’s popcorn machine flows as freely as Warner’s sage-like advice.
64 (2014: 69)
Nigel Jeffers, Harrier LLC
Why Harrier is on target to pump out more photo prints this year than it did in its pomp – touching 250 million 6x4in enprints – thanks to apps making it as easy to print from as to snap on your phone. The digital print side of the business has been booming too with the page count on the Indigos up 50%. Parent firm District Photo has bought back major client Snapfish from HP ensuring the service survives and output stays at Harrier. Publicity-shy Jeffers stays in the shadows, which maybe a throwback to his days in the darkroom.
63 (2014: 60)
Ian Tonks, Unite
Why In his role as Unite’s national officer for the graphical, paper, media and IT sectors, Tonks “has a determination to plan for the future of print and to keep moving the unions forward”, according to one colleague. Originally from an engineering background, Tonks is described as innovative with a passion for learning and keeping abreast of the technological leaps and bounds of the industry. Away from the coalface Tonks is a fan of the beautiful game, “possibly the only Port Vale fan in print”, says one, and loves a camping holiday.
62 (2014: 53)
Sidney Bobb, British Association for Print and Communication (BAPC)
Why If he’s not spelling out the finer points on compulsory overtime and employment tribunals, Sidney Bobb is telling government ministers exactly what they can do with all their red tape. The chairman of the BAPC is a heroic, battle-hardened ally for all seasons, quips a colleague: “We’re familiar with the Glaswegian stereotype and Sidney typifies the breed. He may no longer be a ginger-haired, pale-skinned and haggis-munching Scot, but his no-nonsense university-of-life approach makes him perfect for meeting all the challenges of our evolving print industry in the way he always has – head on.”
61 (2014: 64)
Les Pipe, Rhapsody Media
Why Retirement didn’t suit Rhapsody managing director Les Pipe when he tried it, and now he has no plans to give up work. Just as well as the next few years promise exciting times. The integration of sister company Wyndeham Data is bearing fruit with cross-selling of services. It expects digital to account for half of revenues and the majority of new business in 2016 at publishers and brands. Outside of work a new boat, one daughter about to turn into a teenager and the arrival of grandkids are plenty to keep him busy.
