She’s just been appointed as the new chair of the Strategic Mailing Partnership. Lucy is married with three boys (two of whom are twins), and says she enjoys “regular workouts to keep my mind clear and the odd gin to make it less so”.
What is your nickname?
Lu Lu or Luce
Why did you get into printing?
After being knocked off my motorbike which hindered my performing arts career, I landed a job on reception at an exhibition and events agency as a summer job when I was 18 and never left
What would be your dream job?
Maybe teaching ballet to children or running my own creative agency or even some sort of charity that impacts children’s lives using the power of print… hang on a minute!
Who would play you in a movie about your life?
Sandra Bullock – she loves a good laugh
What would you most like to print?
Millions of children’s books they have authored themselves
Have you completed any interesting projects during the various lockdowns?
I launched Nutshell Trade Services during lockdown as a way to provide support to the print industry in unprecedented times. It’s gone from strength to strength since
Who or what do you hate the most?
I don’t hate anyone or anything. I do however, dislike the sound of noisy eaters. Apparently, it’s a recognised condition known as misophonia
Who do you admire most in the industry?
There are too many people to mention. But what I admire most about our industry is how collaborative we are, and that creates a real sense of community
What is your favourite phrase or saying?
It’s nice to be important but it’s important to be nice
What is your favourite book/what book are you reading at the moment?
I’ve just finished reading Peter Docker’s new book Leading from the Jumpseat
What is the strangest job you’ve ever done?
Chipping potatoes in my dad’s fish and chip shop. It was one hell of a process!
Who would you like to be stuck on a desert island with?
Bear Grylls for the survival stuff, Jamie Oliver (a girl’s gotta eat), David Brent or Michael McIntyre for belly laughs, Darcey Bussell and Adele for a boogie and singalong
What is your greatest ambition?
To make a difference, help people and inspire others
What’s your greatest fear?
Mainly heights but in business it’s letting people down
Who or what makes you laugh?
My husband!
What piece of kit would you like to see invented?
A press that could use toner with GPS tracking chips embedded, enabling the printed piece to be tracked in real time through applications such as Google Maps. Imagine then manufacturing a printed piece that is tracked right up until the point it is recycled. Amazon and Google have already confirmed they would be open to adding the technology into their Echo and Google devices to be able to simply request a status update of the printed material, Apple and Microsoft were unavailable for comment. (This was sent to me by a customer as an April fool’s campaign brief ) could be an idea though?!
Or… An anti-negativity device would be good but Elon Musk probably has this covered
Most embarrassing moment?
Walking through London to a new client meeting, straps on my sandals completely snap off and had to sellotape the strapless shoe to my foot. Needless to say, it didn’t work and I had to walk into the meeting barefoot. Graeme from the Cyan Group thought it was highly amusing!
Where would you like to be right now?
Southern Italy with friends and family
What’s your worst fashion disaster?
Most of my charity shop bargains!
Who would be your favourite party guests?
Too many to name but trust me, it would be a night to remember
Where would you go if you could time-travel?
Back to my summers at the Royal Ballet and Italia Conti
What was your childhood obsession?
All things performing arts
What is the worst kind of print?
The kind that hasn’t been considered for its use
What was the best business deal that you’ve pulled off?
In 2008, I was pregnant with our twins and was rushed into hospital with a liver complaint (not from wine!) I was just on the brink of landing a deal with Barclays Spaces for Sport to develop and implement a web-to-print portal for their volunteers to access materials to promote the Barclays sport sites. They gave Nutshell the go ahead the day before an emergency c-section, so there I was laptop on lap in a hospital bed briefing the studio to get it done!
What advice would you give to your teenage self?
Not everything has to be perfect all of the time. Embrace change and feel the feel
How would you like to be remembered?
Fondly…
Life is…?
What you make it!
