The Printing Charity hosts 194th Annual Luncheon

Each year, the Printing Charity’s Annual Luncheon – now in its 194th year – provides the space for over 150 print, paper, packaging, publishing, and graphic industry members to come together.

The day, which is held in the historic and magnificent Stationers’ Hall in London, is an opportunity to reflect on the free resources and support made available to the industry and their loved ones by the Printing Charity. The venue is also a fitting space to reflect on the Charity’s almost 200-year history within the industry having been founded in 1827.

The Luncheon provides the Charity a chance to thank the industry for its ongoing support and commitment to employee wellbeing. 

This year also saw the Charity formally thank its outgoing Chair Jon Wright and Vice Chair James Povey who both joined as Trustees in 2004.

To commemorate their combined 38 years of service to the Charity, Printing Charity President Emeritus Lord Black of Brentwood presented Wright and Povey with medals. Wright was also invited to take up the honorary position of President Emeritus in recognition of his roles as Trustee, Honorary Trustee, and for the past decade, Chair.

Following a three-course lunch, guests were treated to a keynote speech from current president Michael Grade CBE, Lord Grade of Yarmouth, who reflected on the industry’s evolution over the years and praised it for its adaptability.

Lord Grade described print as “retaining a very special power” in remaining relevant in the modern world and added that there has never been a more important time for the work the charity does.

Speaking about the event, Printing Charity Chair, David Phillips, comments: “The Luncheon is a chance for the charity to share some key achievements from the past 12 months, and to thank everyone for their ongoing engagement and support, which plays such a big role in driving these achievements.”

The free, confidential helpline offered by the Charity to direct industry members but also their family members and loved ones now reaches over 25,000 people, up from 20,000 last year. However, Phillips adds: “We know that there are many more people who could benefit from the charity’s help.”

Therefore, the Luncheon is also a way for the Charity to ask industry members to continue the conversation around the Charity’s support by spreading the word to their colleagues, associates and even competitors.

Neil Lovell, chief executive officer of the Printing Charity, says: “The Luncheon is our flagship annual event, a chance for the industry to gather together to discuss the achievements and challenges of the past 12 months and, together, to look to the future.

“This year the event is even more special, as an opportunity for us to publicly spotlight the incredible work of the charity’s Chair and Vice Chair, Jon Wright and James Povey, and thank them for their time and dedication as they retire from combined service of almost four decades as key members of the charity Council.”

This year’s Annual Luncheon was sponsored by ePS and HP and supported by Josero, Nutshell Trade Services, and PICON. McLays provided print materials and FaberExposize UK/Norther Flags provided banners.

If you have any news, please email carys@linkpublishing.co.uk or join in with the conversation on Twitter and LinkedIn.