7 February 2011

BPIF announces appointment of Yolanda Noble as first female board member

The BPIF is delighted to announce that it has appointed Yolanda Noble to its board of directors, with Yolanda attaining the unique position of becoming the BPIF's first female non-executive board member.

Yolanda is currently Executive Vice President with Innovative Output Solutions (IOS), one of the world's largest colour digital bureaus, which focuses on delivering market leading communication solutions for its wide customer base. IOS is now the largest direct communications manufacturer within its sector in the UK, with over 1,300 employees and an annual turnover in excess of £130m. IOS provides a wide range of services from a number of sites throughout the country.

Commenting on the appointment of Yolanda to the board of directors, BPIF Chief Executive Michael Johnson said, "Our fiercest critics and consumers alike often describe our industry as male, pale and stale. The BPIF is determined to change that perception and the arrival of Yolanda and later my successor Kathy Woodward will bring a new future orientated dynamic to the BPIF board."

Following a period of study for an HND in Print Management at the London College of Printing, Yolanda commenced her career in the industry at SR Communications, before joining Mastermail as Sales Director.

In 1989 Yolanda started her first business, City Financial Mailings (CFM). CFM were sold to the Techmail Group in 1999 and rebranded under the Orchestra name. Yolanda subsequently resigned from the business, establishing Corporate Mailing Matters (CMM).

In 2004 Orchestra Group offered the original CFM group of businesses for sale to CMM. This transaction was completed and the businesses merged, with Yolanda, the original founder, as CEO.

In April 2007, CMM merged with Direct Solutions International with Yolanda holding the role of CEO of dsicmm Ltd, the UK's largest independently owned direct communications organisation.

In 2008 Yolanda won a Printing World Excellence Award, where the judges described her career in print as a clear entrepreneurial story. They described her as an 'inclusive boss who shows an entrepreneurial spirit and an ability to manage business effectively'.

In August 2010 dsicmm further merged with DST Output UK, with Yolanda becoming Executive Vice-President of newly formed IOS.

Commenting on her appointment Yolanda Noble said: "I'm absolutely delighted and honored to have been asked to join the BPIF board as its first female member. I am passionate and committed to the print industry and the future of print and I'm very much looking forward to bringing my 30 years of business experience to the board and I am sure that I can make a difference."

For more information please contact Michael Johnson, BPIF Chief Executive on 020 7915 8309.