Barbeary has worked at some of the biggest names in print during his career, which began at Stones and then Wace’s Brandprint operation.
For the past 25 years he has worked at Paragon and businesses the group acquired during that period: Howitt, Lateral Group and DST Output.
Barbeary is renowned for his work ethic, and said he felt the time was right to step back. He is 56.
“It’s been really good, and Paragon have been brilliant. It’s all very amicable, and it’s almost like a slow-down, a semi-retirement,” he said.
He said he had no plans to work elsewhere in the sector: “I couldn’t work anywhere else but Paragon,” he added.
“I’m going to have a new chapter, I just don’t know what it is yet. I’m going to take stock for the rest of the year and see what happens, and hopefully do a bit more travelling.
“It’s been great and I’ve met some fantastic characters over the years.”
He quipped: “When you don’t look like your security pass anymore it’s time to move on!”
Paragon global CEO Jeremy Walters said: “It’s a massive loss for our business but Nick has done us a tremendous service by leaving behind some great succession. He’s taught people the 35 years of industry knowledge he’s got, which puts us well ahead.”
Walters said Barbeary would not be directly replaced, but a number of people in his team would step up as sector specialists.
He added: “I actually don’t see it as ‘early retirement’ given the hours and the effort that he’s put into this role, it’s probably a late retirement!
“We wish him and his family – Denise, George and Alfie – all the best. They have been massively supportive.”
Long-time colleague and friend Nick Dixon, now CEO at Edit agency, also paid tribute to Barbeary’s incredible drive.
“The thing with Nick is, he’s just full on 150%, he never lets up or gives in,” Dixon said.
“I remember when we went in and bought Howitt, without Nick Barbeary we wouldn’t have been able to turn that around.
“If you’re ever in the trenches, you want a Nick Barbeary with you. And he’s also a good mate. It’s the end of an era.”
