Features

Q&A: Howard Forton, marketing manager, Irongate Managed Communications

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Howard started his marketing and sales career back in 1981 and has been involved with print one way or another ever since: either specifying it, buying it or managing teams that either manage it, use it or sell it.

He’s married with three daughters, one of whom, Beth-Aimee Wilson-Watts, is an account manager at Irongate Group – so print is starting to run in the family. When not working Howard can be found “playing my Fender Stratocaster enthusiastically, loudly but fairly badly, doodling on my Moog synthesizer and getting away from it all in the sun whenever I can.” He also has a YouTube channel: Hafstrat, which has had 244,000 views.

What is your nickname? 

Haf – derived from my initials – the ‘A’ is for Arthur

Why did you get into printing? 

Part of the job. In 1981 I was a marketing assistant and I helped brief printers regarding sales and marketing literature, exhibition materials, promotional banners, branded promotional gifts, signage, vehicle livery, pretty much everything. When I moved to Irongate Group in 1995 I found myself working for a printer and began to experience life on the other side of the fence.

What would be your dream job? 

Guitar hero 

Who would play you in a movie about your life?  

Daniel Craig. Well, you did ask!

What would you most like to print? 

Anything with added value that helps the client optimise ROI and grow their business

What is your favourite film? 

Kelly’s Heroes

What is your favourite saying? 

‘Marvellous’

What is your favourite book? 

Winnie the Pooh

What is your greatest luxury in life? 

Holidays in the sun

What is the strangest job you’ve had?  Cleaning out huge hanger-sized chicken sheds, with a shovel. And then filling them with wood shavings. With a fork

Who would you like to be stuck on a desert island with? 

Ray Mears or Sandra Bullock

What is your greatest ambition? 

To live long, enjoy work and enjoy play

Who or what makes you laugh? 

Norman Wisdom, Carry On films, my family and friends 

Where would you like to be now? 

On the beach by St Maarten airport, Caribbean – see photo! (Howard is centre, front)

Which superpower would you like? 

To move objects by thought

Who would be your favourite party guests? 

John Lydon, Rick Wakeman, Stephen Fry and Norman Wisdom 

Where would you go if you could time-travel? 

Anywhere in the far distant future providing I could get back!

What is the worst kind of print? 

Garish pizza flyers

How would you like to be remembered? 

Loving dad, husband, friend and son. And a bit daft

Life is…? 

Temporary

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