What’s at the top of your Christmas wish list this year?
Hasbro’s Pie Face game – messy and brilliant!
What trend do you think 2015 will be remembered for?
LED-UV technology being developed and rolled out by the major press manufacturers.
What do you think will represent the single biggest opportunity for printers in 2016 and why?
Stop talking the industry down and concentrate upon what we are good at. The general economy has turned positive, our industry is full of fantastic technology, materials and amazingly clever innovators and inventors and we have lots to offer our clients – get out and show the power of print!
What do you think will represent the single biggest threat for printers in 2016 and why?
See above.
What’s the one thing that the industry should do more of, or do better, in 2016?
We need to be better at promoting the printing industry as a career path to school and university leavers. We are rubbish at it and all suffer skills gaps because of it. Our £14bn industry employing 120,000 people is getting smaller by the day but with amazing computer controlled everything it should be easier that it has proven to be.
What was your biggest disappointment in 2015?
The BPIF losing the plot and allowing the IP’s to hoodwink them and the UK Government into having a Pre-Pack Pool – completely bonkers!
What was your highlight of 2015?
Winning the KBA Production Excellence Award for our work on our LED-UV press.
What are your hopes for 2016?
That I make it to 2017.
What was the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
Always stand up for what you believe in but never miss a good chance to shut up!
What was the most important thing that you learnt in 2015?
The brown wire is live!
What if anything will you do differently in 2016?
Spill less wine.
If you’re thinking of going to Drupa next year, what are you keen to see?
Latest developments in LED-UV, inkjet and 3d printing.
What’s your favourite Christmas cracker joke?
Q: What’s brown and comes out of Cowes backwards?
A: The Isle of Wight ferry
What was the best Christmas present you ever received?
A day's fly fishing on the River Test – heavenly!
Are you making any New Year's resolutions? If so, what?
To literally punch in the face anyone who says satistics instead of statistics, damp squid instead of damp squib, or uses the word ‘literally’ in a sentence to which it is superfluous.