8 November 2016

Baroness Dean named as The Printing Charity’s 2017 President

The Printing Charity announced at its 189^th Annual Luncheon on 3 November that The Rt Hon. the Baroness Dean of Thornton-le-Fylde has accepted its invitation to be the charity's 2017 President.

Baroness Dean said: "Once printing is in your blood, it never leaves you. I am looking forward to continuing my association with what is still a great industry as the charity's 2017 President and supporting the annual Print Futures Awards."

Baroness Dean started her working life in the Trade Union movement and was subsequently elected General Secretary of the Society of Graphical and Allied Trades (SOGAT), the printing, publishing and paper trades union. She was created a life Peer in 1993 and a member of the Privy Council in 1998.

Lord Blunkett, this year's engaging guest speaker and the charity's 2016 President, said: "The industry has grown beyond recognition since the charity was set up in 1827, but its work is as important today as it was then. Its welfare support for people in the industry and focus on championing new talent in a sector that continues to innovate are vitally important."

At the sell-out event, Jon Wright, The Printing Charity's Chairman, described this year as one of positive change for the charity. New Chief Executive, Neil Lovell, has refocused the charity's activities, concentrating on welfare and education. The charity has already helped over 1,230 people so far this year, more than the total for 2015. Looking to the future, the charity will be developing its welfare programme and supporting more initiatives to help people working in or wanting to join the industry.

The Printing Charity's Annual Luncheon next year will be on 9 November 2017 at Stationers' Hall, Ave Maria Lane, London.

About the Printing Charity:

The Printing Charity is proud of its heritage and has been supporting people of all ages working in printing, packaging and publishing since 1827. Its charitable aims include promoting independence, protecting dignity and furthering education. It meets the needs of those it helps through one-off and regular grants, and working strategically with industry partners to attract and retain future talent in the industry. Please see www.theprintingcharity.org.uk for more information and follow @printingcharity