Starting in the role on 6 January, Kenney has brought with him significant experience selling high-end and luxury print, having spent seven years as sales director at Bell & Bain before his three years at Kingsbury Press.
He told Printweek that Pureprint had given him a very warm welcome.
“It’s been fabulous, and I’m very excited,” he said.
“I’m very much looking forward to promoting Pureprint and helping establish a very strong, coherent brand message aligned throughout the group. It’s going to be an interesting role, without a doubt.”
“We are thrilled to have Derek join us as we build on the successes of the past year,” said Mark Handford, Pureprint Group CEO.
“His experience and reputation in the industry make him a valuable addition, and I’m confident he will play a key role in driving our ambitious growth plans for 2025.”
Kenney added that he had been “blown away” by Pureprint’s printroom floor technology.
“There are a lot of good print companies out there, and Pureprint is fantastic. Their equipment is very good, client services exceptional, their flexibility, vision, leadership and people are all excellent. It’s a company with great potential and exciting growth in many sectors, both in the UK and overseas, and it has great heritage.”
Kenney’s move to Pureprint will prove a particular boost to the company’s luxury print business, as he brings experience from Bluetree Group’s Kingsbury Press – which until a manufacturing reshuffle in early 2024 was known for its high-end print.
“The high-luxe brands are critically important, I think, moving forward, not just in the UK but worldwide,” Kenney said.
“I believe we have a very, very strong printing industry in the UK that can be world-beating. And I genuinely believe that Pureprint is one of the best printing companies in the world: they can compete in the high-luxe sector fairly easily.”
He added: “It’s an exciting time for me personally.
“I had a fantastic time at Kingsbury, and Bluetree is an exceptional company, but hopefully I can make a real difference here at Pureprint. I bring passion, pride, and professionalism, and I am going to work hard to make sure that happens.”
Pureprint, founded 99 years ago in 1926, operates from three UK sites, employing around 500. It turns over around £82m annually.
