What positives are you able to draw on from the experiences of 2022?
Our quarterly survey showed the industry continuing to recover and grow as the pandemic receded. Businesses continued to adapt, recognising a new economic environment where their clients needed to more properly value print. In a world of skills challenges, apprenticeship training continued to grow, and, finally, greater collaboration across the sector in speaking for print and about print.
What trend do you think has been accelerated because of the impact of inflation?
Much greater focus on improving environmental performance, not just because it’s intrinsically a “good thing”, but because it means more efficient use of costly inputs, especially energy – we are seeing some really interesting, innovative thinking and investment. In terms of print technology, it’s the same general point – investment to improve efficiency with a focus on energy and environment.
What do you think will represent the single biggest opportunity for printers in 2023?
In a sector that ranges from packaging to marketing services and beyond, picking a single opportunity is a challenge! I am sure we will see more joined up conversations and communities sharing knowledge, insight, how-to, and support. Opportunities abound in joining up conversations within verticals and across common issues. And we’ll be supporting and leading that as much as we can.
What are your hopes for 2023?
Peace and goodwill might have seemed trite in the past. With Ukraine it definitely doesn’t now. Also costs and supply chains (and politics!) reverting to boring normality. In the meantime, continued government engagement with us on how to help the sector with energy prices still in the stratosphere, and sure to remain so as the current support scheme ends. Just maybe some glimmers of hope on that last one, albeit likely to be at a lower level than the current scheme.
What piece of advice do you wish you had been given in December 2021 to prepare you for the year you’ve just had?
Go long on energy.
What was your word or phrase of the year in 2022?
Several spring to mind, with Permacrisis being the central one. Energy crisis secondly.
What, if anything, will you do differently in 2023?
Start the Christmas shopping earlier (a lot…). For the BPIF, a stronger focus than ever on supporting members and the sector, getting even closer to government so they really understand the pressures on business owners, doing even more to bring the sector together and show how innovative and brilliant print is.
Are you making any New Year's resolutions?
Keep as externally focused as possible, spend time wisely seeing family and friends and meeting new lovely people in our sector – while keeping time for my nearest and dearest too!
