Receiving the award at a special lunch held at the Conrad London St James hotel earlier this month, Tabelin, who has been on the BAPC Council for around 10 years, called the nod “an unexpected honour”.

He said: “I came here thinking that I was representing BAPC Council. I am delighted at receiving such wonderful recognition.”

BAPC chairman Sidney Bobb, who presented the award, said: “We wanted to recognise Simon for all the work he does on behalf of the BAPC. He devotes time and energy in helping other members and is happy to share his good and bad experiences with others.

“Anything you want done, he will do, and he’s always voulunteering to do something more.

“As well as running a successful business, Simon actually believes in the industry and its importance, and he’s interested in keeping up with the times and seeing how they can change and develop – he loves technology.”

Bobb added it has been around five years since the BAPC last awarded an honorary life membership.

Digital printer Print4UK collected the BAPC Business of the Year award after previously being shortlisted in the category in both 2015 and 2016, Severnprint took home the Environmental Printer of the Year award, and TheMagicTouch was named Supplier of the Year.

The awards, which were this year sponsored by Ricoh, recognise outstanding achievement within the British print and communications industry and the entries were judged by an independent panel.

The other shortlisted companies were: N2 Group, Precision Printing, Alltrade Printers, Xpress Image Communications, The Plastic Card Company, Tharstern, Renz UK, Duplo International, Morgana and Ricoh.