Clicks MD snapped up by Kingswood

Alan Rigglesford, the former managing director of recently liquidated Clicks Print, has been appointed managing director of fellow London-based printer Kingswood iOptus.

Rigglesford transfers over to Kingswood along with four of his previous members of staff, with more likely to move in the coming weeks, including another director. Kingswood’s current managing director Rob Long will take the title of group managing director.

Rigglesford, who said he had had 23 job offers since Clicks folded last week, officially started in the role yesterday (6 February).

Rigglesford said: “When Rob saw that I was having difficulty and I opened up to him pre-Christmas, we started talking and discussing things, but as much as I was happy for him to offer me an olive branch we agreed we wanted to keep our businesses separate and do the right thing for our clients. 

“Because of my relationship with Rob, when Clicks folded we spoke last weekend and concluded that I would be joining him this week.

“The central London location is key and paramount to Kingswood’s success. It's a growing business, which will allow me to join and get mutual benefit for us as ex-Clicks staff. Our skill sets as far as print, production and management will work alongside Rob’s excellent team." 

Long said: “I've been a huge admirer of Alan and his work in the industry over many years. It is hard to legislate for the misfortune of his former company and it was certainly not through lack of effort and endeavour from him and his team that saw the company go into administration.

"It is a fantastic appointment for Kingswood and one that will hopefully see us establish ourselves in the global large-format sector and also cement our foundation as one of the premier small-format digital service providers in the City of London."

Rigglesford will be responsible for overseeing operations at Kingswood’s 740sqm central London facility along with its recently acquired large-format facility in Swanley, Kent.  

The Swanley facility was fitted out after purchase with production kit including an EFI H1625 LED and EFI super-wide Vutek GS3250lx Pro LED, as Kingswood aims for a 50% turnover boost over the next two years. 

The 90-staff company turned over around £5m last year.