30 (2014: 39)
Simon Biltcliffe, Webmart
Why Regardless of your feelings about print management; the print industry would be a much duller place without Webmart CEO Biltcliffe. Fact. “Visionary”, “exceptional leader”, “iconic” and “free thinker” were just some of the glowing testimonials for the man from the ‘yellow shed of wonderment’. “He’s extraordinarily demanding of his team, but he’s even harder on himself and you have to respect that,” said one colleague. Personal achievements this year were dominated by the Marathon des Sables, a six-day 256km ultra-marathon in the Sahara desert. “The dude is the embodiment of all that is innovative and fresh in print. The industry needs more Biltcliffes,” gushes one fan.
29 (2014: 33)
Mark Cruise, Sky UK
Why Sky UK’s head of print management ‘Cruiser’s’ print volumes have no doubt declined in the past 12 months, his annual print spend reportedly still floats around the £15m mark – as the broadcaster continues to move to more targeted mailings. Known for always having his finger on the pulse of the sector he loves, next year could be a big one in terms of marketing activity with the full roll-out of the Sky Q set-top box. Although his favourite Sky innovation is apparently the company’s new gym: “I wouldn’t describe him as a gym bunny exactly, but at least he can walk up the stairs without wheezing nowadays.”
28 (New)
Malcolm Lane-Ley, Anton Group
Why According to one of chief executive Lane-Ley’s many fans his “forward thinking and drive have given Anton a new lease of life and an innovative focus”. However, much of his past year has been spent on bedding the ownership changes after the family business became an Employee Ownership Trust last Autumn. While in many senses it’s been business as usual, its too early to say if the heady days of the big show spends of the Anton of old will return at Drupa next year – although Lane-Ley has hinted that continuous-feed inkjet is an area of interest. However, right now, technology-wise, he’s focused on completing the track-day kit car he’s currently building.
27 (2014: 31)
Martin Sutherland, De La Rue
Why Since joining the business in October 2014, Sutherland – whose background is in the technology and securities industry – has spearheaded De La Rue’s strategic review. His passion to drive the business forward is clear to all around him and the results are starting to show with a commitment to invest significantly in driving technology and innovation – one key call he’s already made is highlighting the importance of the identity and authentication markets. According to a source, Sutherland is “down to earth and approachable”. Away from the business he’s a dedicated family man who runs and cycles “when his ageing legs allow” – he also plays golf “badly!”
26 (New)
Tim Whitfield, Multi Packaging Solutions
Why Following Multi Packaging Solutions CEO Mike Cheetham’s retirement, Bradford-based Tim Whitfield, senior vice-president branded packaging just pips Leicester-based executive vice-president healthcare Europe Mark Wenham to the post of MPS’ top gun in UK print after an award-winning year. In post since February 2014, Whitfield’s remit covers all MPS’ operations in the branded sector in Europe with responsibility for 12 facilities producing packaging for well-known brands. One colleague said of Whitfield: “He’s easy to work with. If you’ve got a problem you can go and talk to him – he’s an approachable sort of person.”
25 (New)
Steve Whitehead, Newsprinters
Why Whitehead’s client list reads like a who’s who of the UK newspapers – The Sun, The Times, The Sunday Times, The Daily & Sunday Telegraph, Wall Street Journal, northern editions of the Financial Times, etc, etc. The combined might of the company’s Broxbourne, Knowsley and Eurocentral plants produce a whopping (should that be Wapping?) 1.5 trillion copies annually and counting, making Newsprinters UK’s managing director one of the most important people in the UK newspaper industry. Earlier this year Whitehead showed off the company’s colossal financial clout when he placed the largest ever order for QI Press Controls.
24 (2014: 23)
Gary Mahoney, Charterhouse
Why Charterhouse has been busy with global expansion and going up the value chain. In January, it bought Indicia a 100-staff customer engagement agency. In February it appointed Patrick Fogarty as chief executive of the Americas as part of its strategy to service global clients better. Commentators question why, several years after Charterhouse was acquired by Konica Minolta, chief executive Mahoney is still there. The answer may be that curiosity gets the better of him, as someone who will chat about anything, he keeps finding things to excite him in the business.
23 (2014: 26)
Lascelle Barrow, Augustus Martin
Why Barrow has come a long way since co-founding the business at 19, in an attic with a piece of formica and a vacuum cleaner for a printing table and £4 in the bank. The now £58m company recently took the POP Printer of the Year gong at the 2015 PrintWeek Awards and while he is now joint chairman rather than joint MD, Barrow is busy driving R&D programmes for Augustus Martin and its specialist ink business Small Products, among other projects. After serving two terms as Fespa president, Barrow stepped aside this year but remains an active member of the board, on which he has sat for more than 20 years.
22 (2014: 22)
Catherine Burke, Banner Managed Communication
Why Described as “seriously switched on, a very smart cookie” by one industry stalwart, Banner CEO Burke has steadied the ship after its parent Office2Office (O2O) was acquired by private equity firm Endless last year and merged with business supplies operation Vasanta, which, at the time, sparked speculation that BMC could be spun off. Highlights this year include a three-year contract renewal with bingo operator Gala Leisure and the firm securing a place on the Postal Goods and Service Framework for Hybrid Mail a collaborative public sector agreement. “She’s very charismatic and I can’t think of a single person who better represents the core values of Banner: intelligence, integrity and innovation,” says one colleague.
21 (New)
John Brewis, Trinity Mirror Printing
Why Newspaper groups have never had it so tough and PrintWeek’s reigning Newspaper Printer of the Year Trinity Mirror is no exception to this rule. The last 12 months have seen the company close its Blantyre print operation near Glasgow at the end of June and consolidate pre-press production for its regional titles at its Liverpool site. Then last month it announced plans to close its Newcastle printing plant. According to company insiders, Brewis is well liked and respected. “He’s approachable, cares about the business and its people, and understands the people, local challenges and issues,” says one source. He also has an excellent sense of humour – which must explain his love of Newcastle United. Brewis is a keen cyclist, which is just as well as apparently his weaknesses include chocolate and jaffa cakes.
