12 November 2013

HRH The Duke of York, KG speaks about the importance to the UK economy of SMEs, export markets and apprenticeships at The Printing Charity's 186th Annual Luncheon

HRH The Duke of York, KG speaks about the importance to the UK economy of SMEs, export markets and apprenticeships at The Printing Charity's 186^th Annual Luncheon

The Duke of York was the guest of honour at The Printing Charity's 186^th Annual Luncheon on 7 November at Stationers' Hall, London, where he spoke about his efforts focused on education, skills and SMEs to support the UK's economic success. 

His Royal Highness said: "Young people are our future. The UK's prosperity depends on having the right skills for the future, increasing young people's aspirations and encouraging businesses to take on apprentices...The Printing Charity has a long tradition of consistent work and its current efforts to encourage young people into the printing industry are commendable."

Jon Wright, Chairman of The Printing Charity, welcomed over 180 guests to the event, saying that 2012 was a fantastic year for the charity, with a 14 per cent increase in the number of people helped throughout the UK, and a record number of applicants and winners for the Print Futures Awards. He stressed the fact that the charity helps people of all ages, individuals and their families. 

Lord Black of Brentwood, Executive Director of the Telegraph Media Group, kindly accepted The Printing Charity's invitation to serve a second term as its President.

Lord Black said: "It's a privilege to be involved with The Printing Charity. However complex the problems in our industry are, however bitter our disputes are, the one thing that unites us all is the responsibility to help the less fortunate. The Printing Charity aims to help 2,000 people by 2017 and to achieve that, we're asking everyone in the industry to help us reach those people."

At the event, MC (Bill) Offer was also made a President Emeritus of The Printing Charity for his exceptional work on the charity's behalf as a Trustee for 15 years and three terms as its Chairman. He is a well-known figure to many in the printing industry, having lectured and held the post of Deputy Dean of the London College of Communication for over 30 years and was an examiner and moderator for Edexcel for 26 years.