Cullimore had a long and storied career in the industry, starting in the late 1980s when he joined Xenotron as channel sales manager.
He moved on to Bitstream and then Crosfield Electronics, and then became UK and Ireland managing director at Purup Eskofot.
Subsequently, Cullimore took up the role of vice president of Encad’s printer and inks division before the business was acquired by Kodak, and then spent a decade working at the printing and imaging giant in increasingly senior roles, rising to senior vice president and president of the group’s Enterprise Inkjet Systems division.
He stepped back from Kodak in 2017 and worked on other projects outside the industry.
Former Xenotron CEO Danny Chapchal told Printweek: “Thirty five years ago when I was CEO of Xenotron our sales and marketing guys recruited Phil. About a week after he joined I suggested he should make a presentation at our distributor meeting. It was sensational.
“I asked him to come to my office straightaway afterwards and I told him ‘I have just witnessed a CEO in the making’. Right from a very young age I could see he was someone who was going to go places. He was so energetic and he achieved so much,” Chapchal recalled.
“Phil was a wonderful chap and it’s no surprise to me that he went on to such good things.”
Bob Leslie, the former co-owner of Centurfax, also commented. He said: “I first met Phil at Xenotron when he was a young raw salesperson. You could tell from day one that he was going to rise in his career, he was always smiling, approachable, knowledgeable.
“At Centurfax we purchased a product line from him, a proofing system, and he was very fair and honest in his negotiations that included his good friend and fellow Tractor Boy, Mr Elmy [Martyn Elmy, who died in 2021]. I can imagine them sitting together looking down and relishing the rise of Ipswich Town FC.”
Martin Fairweather, now national digital business development manager at Fujifilm's graphics wing, also had fond memories of Cullimore, and said: “He gave me my big break in sales. I was an engineer and he tapped me on my shoulder and said 'I think you've got what it takes and I'll mentor you'. His enthusiasm was contagious. This is very shocking and sad news.”
Former Kodak colleague Jean Lloyd shared the sad news in a post on LinkedIn, where she said:
“It is with a heavy heart that I share the news of the passing of a remarkable individual who has left an indelible mark on my life and career. We mourn the loss of a true leader, Philip Cullimore, who played an instrumental role on shaping my professional journey.
“Phil was more than just a mentor, a source of wisdom, and an unwavering pillar of support,” she said.
“As we bid farewell to Phil, let us celebrate the remarkable legacy and the profound influence he had on all of us lucky enough to have crossed paths with him. The amount of people globally that have reached out in shock and in sadness, is just proof of the lives he touched.”
Her post resulted in an outpouring of messages and garnered nearly 100 comments from industry connections and former colleagues, who paid tribute to Cullimore and his positive influence on their lives and careers.
Cullimore is survived by his wife Tracey and their children.
A virtual tribute card has also been set up on Kudoboard.
