What’s at the top of your Christmas wish list this year?
This year has been challenging for big retailers. We are proud of the work we do with retailers, brands and other advertisers; and especially proud of the fact the some of our work has won awards. I would want to wish all our customers and suppliers a very happy and prosperous New Year, and look forward  to working  with them next year to make 2015 the best ever.

What trend (business or technology) do you think 2014 will be remembered for?

For me, 2014 was the year that many printers got serious about diversifying into related service areas. In-house printing may soon no longer be the major revenue stream for some large players. I should hasten to say that this is not the case for Augustus Martin and its sister business Walkers Instore. We are still very much centred around core printing skills; although we do have a significant design arm through Twenty22, and installation skills through Audit Fix and Display.

What do you think will represent the single biggest opportunity for printers in 2015 and why?

The biggest opportunity will be the continued growth of personalisation. This started with overprints in direct mail and is now becoming commonplace with brochures. It has yet to make much impact on larger printed items such as posters, wallpapers or even furniture. 2015 may be the year for a breakthrough.

What do you think will represent the single biggest threat for printers in 2015 and why?

Margins have been squeezed in print for at least the last decade. Many have gone to the wall and the survivors, those with the best business models and the strongest balance sheets, have been able survive and prosper through investment in new technology and through winning extra volume. This is becoming more and more difficult and 2015 may see a further shakeout of the weaker players.

What’s the one thing the industry should do more of, or do better, in 2015?

Print is a great medium with a multiplicity of uses; but I am certain that there are still a wide range of uses that we have not yet thought of or tried to exploit. In 2015, I want the industry to be more creative and forceful in this area and together with its customers push the boundaries of what is considered normal for print. That way, as an industry, we develop new products and markets to replace some of those that may be in decline.

What was your biggest disappointment in 2014?

Finally having Ipex on our doorstep and seeing it so poorly supported and attended.

What was your highlight of 2014?

As President of Fespa, it was watching the organisation develop its global presence and dominance with shows in South Africa, Mexico, Turkey and China. In my own business, Augustus Martin, it was seeing the younger members of the team make progress and increasingly pick up the baton from older players.

What are your hopes for 2015?

I never thought I’d say this, but I’d hope for the oil price to stop falling and stabilise at current levels. It seems that too low an oil price can add to the world’s woes as does too high a price; and that will eventually affect our economy in Britain. As a supporter. I’d also love to see Tottenham in the Champions League; but OK, that may be one hope too far…so it’s UEFA Cup again next year!

What was the most important thing that you learnt in 2014?

It really doesn’t matter who the Manager at Tottenham is, the outcome’s still the same.

What if anything will you do differently in 2015?

I will be handing over my Presidency of FESPA in 2015, so from midyear I plan to be spending rather more time with my motorbikes, and my family, than I have been able to do for some while.

What’s your favourite Christmas Cracker joke?

Q: What do you call a bunch of chess players bragging about their games in a hotel lobby?
A: Chess nuts boasting in an open foyer!

Are you making any New Year’s Resolutions?  If so, what?

Yes. To think about following Arsenal in future; and perhaps to trying not to argue too much.

Who will win the Rugby World Cup in 2015?

Without question, the winner of the World Cup will be the Rugby fans from around the world. England is a fantastic place to host an event of this size and nature. And, of course, England to beat the All Blacks in the final by 3 points in extra time!