Members' Day 2010

Power of Print in the spotlight at BPIF Members' Day 

The British Printing Industries Federation (BPIF) revealed The Power of Print at the All Party Parliamentary Print Group (APPPG) annual reception held yesterday at the House of Commons. The reception followed a series of events for BPIF members held earlier in the day at Westminster's Church House Conference Centre, including the BPIF's 2010 AGM.

Improvement workshop kicks off the day

The BPIF's Members' Day events began with a motivating interactive workshop for CEOs of larger member companies and BPIF Council members, led by self-improvement expert, Marcus Child. Marcus showed his audience how to nurture and invigorate resourcefulness in individuals, positivity between colleagues and trust between companies and their customers.

Award to David Hobbs

At a lunch held after the workshop BPIF President Rupert Middleton presented the BPIF's 2010 Award for Outstanding Contribution to the UK Printing Industry to David Hobbs, Managing Director of Southampton-based Hobbs the Printers. Middleton warmly described Hobbs as "a quiet and generous man, who has done so much for his company, his community and his industry".

Weathering the Recession

The BPIF AGM took place after the lunch and saw BPIF President Rupert Middleton emphasize that 2009 had been a year of exceptional challenge for member companies, as the deepest and longest recession since the Second World War had taken its toll. Reviewing the impact of this on the BPIF he remarked that "consolidation and rationalisation has accelerated sharply during the recession and the impact on the BPIF had been severe. Total income in 2009/10 had fallen from £7.7 million to £6 million - a 23% reduction - with Membership, Commercial and Training income all down year on year, as discretionary spend and the recession impacted on BPIF finances".

"It's all the more commendable then", he added "that despite this, we managed to produce an operating profit of £44k before final salary pension costs and exceptional costs". The BPIF declared a net loss after exceptional and final salary pension costs of £309k, which Middleton said was "disappointing after we managed to get back into the black last year with a net profit of £19k". As a consequence of this, the BPIF had had to make some tough decisions. However the quality of services to members had been maintained, despite a 20% headcount reduction made during the past year in response to reduced income streams. The 2009/10 accounts were presented by BPIF Finance Director Michael Gardner.

Andrew Pindar becomes Vice-President

Pindar Group plc Chairman Andrew Pindar was invested as BPIF Vice-Chairman at the AGM. Rupert Middleton described the Pindar Group Chairman as a man whose "passion and commitment to our industry over many years has significantly helped to support and shape its development". Prior to being invested as the new Vice-President, Pindar was a founding member of the Vision in Print Board in 2002 and was its first Chairman - an office he still holds today as Chair of the Vision in Print Advisory Council. He is currently a Non-Executive Director and National Council member of the BPIF, having served in various BPIF offices prior to that.

Tighter membership rules introduced for pre-packs

The President also announced that BPIF members had voted overwhelmingly in favour of changing the BPIF's membership admission criteria from now onwards to exclude pre-pack companies from becoming BPIF members for a period of two years from the date the new company commences trading. The only exceptions will be in cases where the directors offer a legally-binding guarantee to repay outstanding debts owed by the previous company within a period of twelve months or by special dispensation from BPIF Regional Boards.

Johnson leads the way

Announcing that he would be stepping down at the 2011 AGM after ten years at the helm, BPIF CEO Johnson told members that the search for his successor would be underway shortly. During an inspiring presentation at the AGM entitled 'Leading the Way', Johnson confirmed that the BPIF is now focused on four key tasks: lobbying, delivering best practice, saving money for its clients, and ensuring companies are equipped to comply with legalisation and standards. He highlighted the extent to which print's business climate had become increasingly tough in recent years and continued to worsen, which had caused the BPIF to fundamentally redefine its priorities, focus, and marketing. The BPIF was now working on a number of solutions to address the impact of industry consolidation on its finances, including: a more compelling membership offer, smarter delivery, the targeting of creative companies, helping printers evolve into integrated cross-media marketing solutions providers, more wide-ranging strategic partnerships with other trade associations - and of course, strong leadership.

All Party Parliamentary Reception at the Commons

The day concluded with the All Party Parliamentary Print Group (APPPG) Reception, held a short walk away from Church House in the Terrace Pavilion at the House of Commons, where printers and politicians were able to network and share current concerns in a relaxed and informal environment. To illustrate this year's theme a display of powerful eye-catching and effective printed products was mounted, with short speeches given by Michael Johnson, Tony Burke of Unite, and Martyn Eustace of Two Sides. Johnson took the opportunity to reiterate the calls for action made in the BPIF's Priorities for Print document, sent to all MPs ahead of the Reception and to urge Government and its agencies to recognise the power of print as a sustainable and effective communications medium when making media procurement decisions.

For a copy of Rupert Middleton's AGM speech click here

For a copy of Michael Johnson's AGM presentation click here

For a copy of Rupert Middleton's speech at the President's Lunch click here

For a copy of APPG Chairman Lord O'Neill's introduction at the APPG click here

For a copy of Michael Johnson's APPG speech click here

For a copy of Martyn Eustace's APPG speech click here

To view photos from the CEOs Conference click here

To view photos from the AGM click here

To view photos from the President's Lunch click here

To view photos from the APPG click here