Why:
Snelson became managing director of this family business more than 20 years ago and under his tenure it has grown considerably, although staff point out that it retains the ethos and values that were there from the start. Big wins have abounded recently, with the major coup of the Football Pools contract won last November and moneysupermarket.com’s first DM campaign in February. Senior management give a lot of credit for this to Snelson, adding “if he comes up with 100 ideas a day, 75 might be barking mad, but 25 are unique”. In his personal life, Snelson apparently “loves life on a digger” and is a keen environmentalist, currently busily reinstating a pond at home to attract wildlife back onto his farmland.
Why:
It has been a tough few months for the GI Solutions managing director. In March, his father Ron passed away, after a lifetime spent working for and building up print businesses. GI was his final project so it’s fitting that the business has been left in such good hands. Welch junior certainly knows his stuff. After starting out as a litho printer, he went on to hold a range of different technical roles before taking a brief sojourn from print to take an MBA in marketing. But it wasn’t long before he found himself back in the saddle overseeing the day-to-day operations of the company that his father founded. One colleague said: “Welch is a motivational, inspiring and a great leader – the best managing director I have worked for”.
Why:
Anyone who went to Drupa will recognise Peeling without too much trouble, seeing as there was a colossal poster of his face plastered onto the side of one of the halls. The fact that Peeling is attracting such attention is testament to his growing print profile. A leading member of HP’s EMEA Dscoop group and an innovator in workflow and print processes, Peeling has expanded his work again this year to become one of the country’s leading photo products producers, despite the end of the formal partnership with Pixart Printing. Outside of print, he is very much into his cycling, recently completing the London to Brighton charity bike ride. He is also keen on motorsports and owns his own track car for high-octane fun.
Why:
Hot off the back of an “amazing Drupa” according to his colleagues, this has been an eventful 12 months for Gibbons, with the obvious low being the fall of the US company into Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January. Described as “seriously switched on”, the youthful UK and Nordic cluster business director for Kodak’s consumer and commercial business is cited as a role model for strengthening relationships with Kodak’s customer-base and engaging in their day-to-day challenges. He is known as a keen golfer and skier, although it is hard to believe that Gibbons fits extracurricular activities into his already packed schedule.
Why:
Continuing his rise up the ranks from last year, Eclipse Colour managing director Moore now heads up one of the largest DM printers in the UK, following the firm’s tie-up with 4DM last year. Highlighting the company’s plans for growth, Eclipse invested in a 10-colour Heidelberg Speedmaster XL 106 perfector at Drupa, to be installed at its Kettering site in January 2013. The firm continues to invest and grow through efficient manufacturing in a very competitive marketplace. According to one colleague, Leeds United fan Moore runs his printing company “like it is the best hobby he could ever have”. He is described as “a true gentleman of the industry”, with an understanding of the company that inspires confidence.
Why:
Graham began his career as an accountant, swiftly moving over to the print trade to take on the troublesome paper industry as managing director of Premier Paper Group. In 2004, he acquired Beswick Paper Group and went on to aid the merger of the company with Premier Paper Group to create a third rival for sector giants Antalis McNaughton and Paperlinx. Colleagues describe him as a supportive co-worker with a dry sense of humour. However, this elusive character moves to his own beat and is known for shying away from exposure to concentrate on business. Outside of work, his adrenaline junkie antics take him off-piste skiing, on 60-mile charity bike rides and power boating.
Spending power
Influence
Well connected
Star quality
On the up
Knowledge- Innovator