In his welcome, Printing Charity chair David Phillips said that this year the charity had supported 300 people through 600 grants, totalling more than £640,000 and the number of people that had access to its confidential helpline, which provides practical, emotional, and financial support 365 days a year, had increased 30%.

"This is an amazing testament to the to the work of the charity and its team,” he said.

"We’re proud to have been there for as many people as we have this year, but we know there are more people out there who need our help.

“So, as always, the Luncheon is where we ask our industry supporters to continue to talk about the charity with their networks, encouraging people to start a conversation with us and find out how we may be able to help.” 

Just over 150 guests attended yesterday’s sell-out lunch, the charity’s 195th, which was once again hosted at Stationer’s Hall, London.

Printing Charity president emeritus Lord Black of Brentwood used his welcome to introduce the 2024 president Baroness Nicky Morgan, who delivered a keynote detailing her political achievements as a former Conservative MP and minister.

She highlighted the charity’s work on supporting current and retired employees and the impact of the “inspirational Rising Star Awards” on supporting the industry’s next generation of leaders.

Morgan also used her address to share why she believed print was “hugely important” to the economy and other industries citing her experiences of the sector, firstly as an M&A lawyer working on a print Plc’s acquisition and latterly as politician, where she offered a shout-out to Tradeprint sales and customer success director Anthony Rowell for producing her first ever candidate literature in the early 90s.

Speaking after the event, Rowell revealed he was sales director of a former print business called Polar in the noughties.

“We supported over 50 Prospective Parliamentary Candidates in 2004 one of which was Nicky,” he said.

“At the following election we worked with around 70 – I had some amazing experiences over the years – visited the House a few times to drop proofs off for people like Michael Fabricant.”

Rowell moved to Pureprint in 2007 and went on to produce David Cameron’s Conservative manifesto for the 2010 general election, which he described as “perhaps one of the most interesting and demanding projects I’ve had the pleasure to work on”.

Elections remain important at Rowell’s current employer, although headed by the firm’s election/political printing specialist George Cant, who leads their Boundary Print & Mail service.

In his parting remarks at yesterday’s event, Phillips thanked Julia Cole and Pauline Blake, for whom the Annual Luncheon was a fitting swan song, for all their support.

"It was important also for us to use the occasion to thank Julia Cole for her nine years as Trustee, latterly as Vice Chair; and Pauline Blake for her eight-year stint as Honorary Treasurer. We’re incredibly grateful for their considerable support throughout this time,” added CEO Neil Lovell after the event.

King Charles took over as patron of The Printing Charity earlier this year, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.