UK to celebrate inaugural National Magazine Day
Backed by leading publishers, charities and industry partners, the initiative aims to distribute more than 60,000 magazines to young readers across the UK as part of the National Year of Reading
The London event acted as a chance for members to network, learn, and celebrate the federation’s history, and the achievements of individuals in the industry
The British Printing Industries Federation (BPIF) has held another Members’ Day at St Bride Foundation which included a range of talks and presentations, which was then followed by the Print Industry Reception at the House of Lords.
The event acted as a great chance for the federation to celebrate 125 years in the industry, having been established in 1901. The BPIF discussed its Annual Review and a 125-year lookback at the event, acknowledging the work of its business and legal services, its research, communities, and government advocacy.
The day started with a welcome speech by Charles Jarrold, chief executive at the BPIF, as well as the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held by Jarrold and Jonathan Dul, chair of the BPIF, and managing director of MiRiCal Emblems. Both Jarrold and Dul used the chance to update members on BPIF initiatives, meetings, and annual finances.
In the presentation, Jarrold addressed the recent divestment in BPIF Training, saying it was crucial for the much-needed investment the company needed, hoping it would financially benefit both the BPIF and BPIF Training.
Jarrold also pointed to the importance of the federation’s events and resources, calling the quarterly Printing Outlook as “core” to the BPIF, and the yearly Carols for Printers get together as a perfect way to round off the year.
Jarrold and Dul were soon joined by Ian Conetta, BPIF board member and group managing director of The Meliora Group, Karly Lattimore from BPIF Training, as well as Mandy Robson, head of business services, and Darren Shepherd, membership development director at the BPIF.
The panel was focused on the past, present, and future of the BPIF, in which the panellists give their thoughts on the progress of the federation, but also the challenges it still faces. Conetta made particular reference to the fact that the federation still only has around 10% of the overall print industry signed up as members, which he believed could be greatly improved. For context, BPIF membership encompasses around 50% of the UK printing industry based on turnover and employees.
His point was supported by Jarrold who acknowledged the obstacles the federation, and industry as a whole, is facing – obstacles that would later come up during subsequent panel sessions. Jarrold added that following the sale of BPIF Training, increasing its membership and services was the right challenge to have.
Lattimore, who is managing director of BPIF Training, also echoed earlier points about the sale of BPIF Training, believing it was a good opportunity for future funding opportunities, and a change which reflects the evolution taking place in government and the industry.
The rest of the day including three more panel sessions which focused on the past, present, and future of the print industry. Jo Francis from Printweek hosted the session on the past with Paul Opie from CarbonCo, Andrew Horn from SMP Group, and Rob Kelly from Displayways as panellists.
This was then followed by a session hosted by Print Monthly which focused on the recent challenges and changes within print, with Jon Bailey from Precision Proco, Tom Baker from Baker Labels, Rob Cross, from Micropress, and Jack Harrison from Harlow Solutions as panellists. The session acted a great opportunity for panellists to reflect on the changes needed to encourage young people into print, but also the quick advancements businesses need to make to keep up with the rapidly changing world.
Lastly was a session all about what is next for the industry as Chris Brock, from Digital Printer Magazine spoke to Kyle Jardine from the BPIF, Aaron Leishman from Bluetree Group, and Anthony Rowell from Tradeprint. A big talking point was of course artificial intelligence (AI), as well as embracing automation and robotics as ways for your company to grow rather than shrink.
Following the Members’ Day, attendees moved onto the Print Industry Reception at the House of Lords where industry members got the chance to unwind and raise a glass to 125 years of the BPIF, as well as celebrate members of the industry.
At the event visitors were presented with speeches from Lord Teverson of Tregony, host of the event, as well as Peter Hughes of Unite the Union, and Simon Biltcliffe of Webmart, who introduced the Kathy Woodward Award.
The award, sponsored this year by Webmart, was launched in 2015 to commemorate the BPIF’s previous chief executive officer who was a big supporter of fostering young talent. This year’s winner was Izelda Lala from Baker Labels who won £1,000 to help with her career development, while Chloe Welham from Two Sides UK and Daniel Mydlowski from Blackmore won highly commended recognition.
Following this, Jarrold returned to the stage to announce the winner of The Award for Outstanding Achievement to the Printing Industry which went to Debbie Mellet, managing director at Label-Form based in Maidenhead. Jarrold said the award recognised her 50-year long career and credited her for her victories at BPIF Label golf day in which Jarrold hadn’t done as well.
On the whole the event was a reflection of the need for learning from the past but also improving for the future. When accepting her award, Mellett encouraged attendees to engage young people in their businesses, a theme that carried through the day.
Speaking in its Annual Review, Jarrold says: “Our role is to free up printers to do what they do best: listening to customers, anticipating market changes, and investing for the future. While we can absorb much of the heavy lifting involved in understanding and implementing regulatory change, it remains an unavoidable overhead for the sector as a whole, and reducing that burden is a priority for us.
“When I look back, it is clear that our sector has undergone monumental change. How we communicate, learn, promote and gain knowledge has been transformed. Yet print remains at the heart of it all, its role and value more appreciated than ever. Indeed, the radical changes of recent years have, if anything, brought into sharper focus just how engaging and effective print is. We should all be proud of that and look forward with genuine anticipation and excitement to what comes next.”
