Wilton, operations director at communications agency CDS since August 2018, was appointed into the role on Tuesday (15 December) at the federation’s 12th Annual General Meeting, which was held virtually. He succeeds outgoing president Darren Coxon, managing director at Pensord, following his four-year tenure.
Wilton has been a non-executive director at the BPIF since August 2015, and has been its vice president since July 2017.
BPIF chief executive Charles Jarrold said: “I’d like to thank Darren for all the support, advice and challenge that he’s given as president. He steps down from the role of president with the BPIF a strong organisation, able to support the sector now and in future, and that’s a credit to his leadership of the board.
“The sector as a whole owes a debt of gratitude to the support he’s given. I’m looking forward to the next stage of development under Ian’s presidency, where we’ll benefit both from his huge industry experience, and knowledge of the BPIF and the role it can play.”
Wilton has worked his entire career in the print and communications sector since taking on a print apprenticeship when he left school. He has held various management positions throughout his career – for the past 10 years at director level.
Wilton said he was delighted to accept the position of president, which is an unpaid role, as is the case with all of the BPIF's non-executive directors. The role is a two-year appointment and he can then be re-elected for a further two years.
Speaking during his first president’s address, Wilton said: “I believe the role of the BPIF is very important to the industry that has been able to provide such great support to the businesses that I’ve worked with over the years, and I now have the opportunity to give something back, and to ensure it continues to develop its support and services for the industry’s future.
“I, alongside the non-executive directors, will continue to challenge the executive team to ensure the members are at the foremost of all the decisions we make. I will be there for Charles the CEO, to support him during my time as president to ensure the strategic direction of the BPIF continues to enhance and add value to its members.
“I’m reassured that the BPIF heads into 2021 with a high level of confidence, so I particularly want to take this opportunity to thank the non-executive team for their diligence and support throughout Darren’s time as president and I know they will keep supporting this industry that we are all so passionate about.”
Jarrold added some of the key focus areas for the BPIF in 2021 will include increasing engagement through increasing its focus on sector interest groups. Alongside the existing interest groups: BPIF Labels, Cartons, Books and CDI, the BPIF will, for example, be focusing on environmental, technical, data and cybersecurity, among others.
He said Brexit would inevitably continue to be at the heart of much of the BPIF’s advice and activities, and that it will also continue to develop its key Health, Safety & Environmental, and Human Resources services.
He added BPIF Training also continues to develop and strengthen, and despite the coronavirus pandemic has had a good year, with the Apprenticeship Training division well placed to develop, broaden and grow to continue to meet sector needs.
