Hibbert grew up on a Blackburn council estate and was the first member of his family to go to university. 

He was talent-spotted by the late Kathy Woodward, who recruited him in 1992 to join the then-British Printing Corporation, where she was development director. 

Hibbert rose through the ranks and was group managing director by the time one of the industry’s most momentous business deals took place in 1998 – the merger of BPC and Watmoughs to form Polestar. 

Tony Rudston became Polestar’s first CEO, with Hibbert as executive director and head of publications, but Hibbert decided to leave the business at the end of that year.

After a spell at mobile phone services provider Cauldwell Communications, Hibbert joined print dotcom startup Httprint in 2000 as CEO of its European operations.

Both Httprint and Polestar were backed by Investcorp at the time. 

Hibbert sensationally returned to Polestar as CEO in 2001, after Rudston’s replacement, former finance director Jim Brown, departed after just nine months in the job. 

Alongside key executive colleagues including CFO Peter Johnston, COO Peter Andreou, and stalwart sales director John Ashfield – also ex-BPC – Hibbert helmed Polestar through an extraordinary 15-year period that involved multiple refinances and restructures, and the ambitious project at the Polestar Sheffield greenfield superplant, which began as a gravure site and was then expanded into web offset.

He was also a board member at the European Rotogravure Association. 

Hibbert topped the Printweek Power 100 three times, most recently in 2014.

He had variously been described by Power 100 voters as "the most talented manager in the industry", "an exceptional motivator" and someone who had "balls of steel".

In 2014 the industry also lost Woodward, one of print’s staunchest champions who had gone on to become CEO of the BPIF, and Hibbert gave a moving tribute at the memorial service held at St Bride’s Church to celebrate her life. 

Former colleagues and rivals alike have commended Hibbert for the drive and determination he brought to the Polestar role, and his ability to keep investors and key stakeholders on board through thick and thin. Many credited him with keeping the business going for a decade longer than it would have existed otherwise. 

Hibbert’s tenure was not without controversy. Polestar pre-packed twice, cast off its pension liability, and took over rival Goodhead Group in a complex pre-pack deal. 

But by the tail end of 2015 the group’s plans for market dominance were unravelling. Polestar was the UK’s biggest publication and commercial printer at the time, producing some 50m magazines and supplements a week.

The £216m-turnover business ended up going into administration in April 2016 after its biggest customer, DMG Media, refused to novate its contract to the ‘new’ Polestar following the contentious pre-pack sale to Proventus Capital Partners, which had taken control of the business just four months beforehand. 

Hibbert left Polestar the following month. He subsequently pursued a number of business interests outside of print. 

Close friends spoke of his love for his family, and said he was well-liked by the local community in Cookham where he supported local charities. 

Hibbert died suddenly on 5 July. He is survived by his wife Jane and grown-up children. 

Industry reaction

Peter Andreou, former Polestar COO

“He was a motivator and a mentor for a lot of people including myself. A lot of people’s success has stemmed from his energy, his drive and his passion. 

“If it wasn’t for Barry, Polestar would not have lasted as long as it did. He carried huge pressure on his shoulders. He had opportunities to move on and go to much bigger media groups, but he didn’t. 

“I remember one funny story. A media group told one of our competitors to go out and get the best salesman in the UK. And they said I’m afraid I can’t do that because the best salesman in the UK is Barry Hibbert and he’s CEO of Polestar. Which I thought was hilarious, but true. 

“He would walk into a room and his presence would make a difference. He had an air of confidence that allowed you to do good business. 

“For me he was a personal and very close friend and I’m going to miss him terribly. We spent more than 20 years working together. Through that time we had our ups and downs of course. 

“I can’t say enough how much he was a mentor to people, giving people opportunities they might not have had, and that was all down to him. And that includes me, and for that I’ll always be grateful.”

Mark Scanlon, chairman, Walstead Group

“He was a larger-than-life figure in our industry. We crossed swords for the best part of eight years and there was never a dull moment. Condolences to his family.”

David Timmins, former FoC at Chantry Web and employee chair of the Polestar Information & Consultation Forum

“He was an industry titan. He did what he had to do, he shut factories when he had to, there was no sentiment. 

“Barry was always straight with you, whether you liked it or not. You could ask him a straight question and he told you straight. Some people didn’t like that, but I actually did. 

“In my personal opinion, Barry kept Polestar open for a lot longer than anyone else could possibly have done. He kept people in jobs for a long time. He kept the factories going. He kept getting us refinanced and keeping us open. Under someone else the whole lot would have gone before it did. 

“He was the main man.”

Norman Revill, founder, Secrets of Print Consultancy and former colleague

“This is unbelievably sad news. I worked with him for a year at Httprint and he was the best managing director I ever worked with. 

“Barry did absolutely everything in his power to keep Polestar afloat. He had a great vision. He kept that business going for at least 10 years longer than it would have lasted otherwise. 

“He was the best CEO in the industry.”

Richard Gray, managing director, Prinovis UK

“A giant of the industry.

“Didn’t always agree with him but his Houdini act keeping Polestar going for so long was a testament to his tenacity.”

Tony Burke, former Unite assistant general secretary and GPMU deputy general secretary

“I am very sad to learn of the death of Barry Hibbert.

“As a senior official in the GPMU print union and in Unite I found Barry was interesting to work with! Very lively, very intelligent, willing to listen to the workforce, and worked closely with us as he preferred dialogue to confrontation. 

“He knew how to do a deal. Polestar’s collapse was devastating for our members, the industry and for Barry.”

John Ashfield, former sales director, BPC and Polestar 

“When I first met Barry he’d been employed to run our Milton Keynes factory at Bletchley and he was a breath of fresh air.

“I liked him. I rated him. He had his own style and he was no fool. 

“I have nothing other than admiration for Barry. We weren’t always as one on a decision, however there was always a rational discussion and the right decision was made. He was somebody that you could get on with, and you could get a decision if you needed one.

“I’m very sad to hear this news.”

John Ellis, managing director, Manroland Goss Web Systems UK

“Barry was a very big figure – absolutely full of energy. He never stopped.

“He managed to get the right people around him to keep it going, and with the attitude to get things done. He didn’t take no for an answer, he made it happen. 

“Despite all the trials and tribulations, he kept it together. He kept the whole thing rolling right to the bitter end. He was such an impressive person.

“A lesser person wouldn’t have been able to handle that, for that length of time. He was very influential. 

“Barry was a massive part of the industry and all our pasts.”

Charles Jarrold, CEO, BPIF

“This is really sad news. My thoughts are with, and condolences to, his family.”