Business - Appointments - Results from #330

EskoArtwork bolsters position in Sign & Display market by appointing Worldwide Business Development Manager

Appointments 08 September 2009

Bryan Stringer

EskoArtwork (www.esko.com) has strengthened its presence in the sign and display market by appointing Bryan Stringer as Worldwide Business Development Manager Sign & Display.

Stringer will be based in the UK and report to Nicolai Gradman, Senior Vice President CAM & Supply Chain. In this new role, Stringer will be responsible for expanding EskoArtwork’s sign and display business by developing relationships with other vendors in the industry and identifying new business opportunities. Stringer will also support more than 30 EskoArtwork sales offices around the world.

Stringer brings to his new role years of expertise and experience in the sign and display market. In the UK, he founded B&P Light Brigade in 1982 and was Managing Director at the company until 2004. Stringer then set up and ran Planet Media Ltd and Planet Digital, acting as UK distributor for Zünd until 2007, and most recently for SwissQprint.

“The role presents an excellent opportunity for me to apply my experience in the sign and display sector, and help EskoArtwork expand its business,” says Stringer. “The company’s software is already a ‘must have’ for packaging and commercial printers. We anticipate that it will soon enjoy the same status in the sign and display market, driving tools for digital finishing in digital print bureaus. Plus EskoArtwork Kongsberg cutting tables have a very strong reputation for digital finishing in this industry.”

Nicolai Gradman comments: “Bryan has a comprehensive understanding of the sign, display and retail sector. His knowledge, global contacts and vision will prove invaluable as he spearheads our growth strategy in this growing market.”

Graeme Finch Appointed General Manager of National Skills Academy for Materials, Production & Supply

Appointments 26 June 2009

Graeme Finch, General Manager of the National Skills Academy for Materials, Production & Supply

Proskills, the Sector Skills Council for the process and manufacturing sector, which includes the print and paper industries, has appointed Graeme Finch as General Manager of the National Skills Academy for Materials, Production & Supply. Graeme will spearhead the ongoing development of the Academy to provide top class industry-specific skills training support and solutions based on the demands of employers and employees.

Graeme brings with him a wealth of experience in engineering and manufacturing as well as his broader business support and management expertise, gained during his time at Business Link, the government-backed business advice and support service.

“The Academy is set to be one of the most significant developments in the print and paper industries in terms of developing, creating and maintaining a first class workforce to safeguard the future of the industry, and finding the right person to build on and develop the Academy further was crucial,” said Terry Watts, Chief Executive of Proskills. “Graeme’s combined experience of the manufacturing sector, together with his understanding of running a successful business support organisation and strong leadership qualities will be invaluable to establishing the structure of the Academy as the delivery mechanism for industry-focussed skills training.”

Grame joins the Academy from Jules m Ltd, a successful start-up company where he was Chief Executive for the past two years. He began his career as a project engineer, but soon progressed into general management. Graeme spent 10 years within the solar power industry, becoming Managing Director of Solapak Ltd and later Group Operations Director of Intersolar Group Ltd.

During the 1990s he entered the manufacturing sector, where he ran a transformer manufacturer and later headed up the European operation of a large US-based electronic component packaging company.

In 2000, Graeme became Chief Executive Officer of Business Link, where he was responsible for establishing a network of regional offices, setting up an ICT structure and generating funding opportunities to support new initiatives, which he and his team achieved in just 14 weeks. During his time at Business Link, he also led the organisation’s creation of an impartial Business Link offer, as well as the creation and development of the Information, Diagnostic and Brokerage (IDB) business model. Introducing innovative new processes and cost-efficiencies, Graeme ran one of the most financially efficient Business Link operations in England.

Commenting on his appointment, Graeme Finch added, “During the past months, there has been a great deal of consultation with employers regarding their expectations and requirements from The Academy. I want to ensure that this enthusiasm is turned in to reality, and that businesses large and small, continue to take an interactive role into how the Academy shapes itself. I look forward to engaging with stakeholders, employers and trade representatives over the coming months and to developing a first class skills delivery operation that will make a real difference to employer and employees and to the industries they represent.”

New appointment at CWES cements their position as the UK's leading proofing system provider.

Appointments 02 June 2009

Rob Thurston CWES

New appointment at CWES cements their position as the UK's leading proofing system provider.

Rob Thurston, formerly of Xelix, has joined leading large format reseller and colour proofing specialist City and West End Solutions.

With more than 8 years experience with GMG proofing and colour management products, Rob Thurston is highly regarded in the industry. Rob comes to CWE Solutions from GMG reseller Xelix, bringing with him a loyal client base which includes Colour Systems/Fresh Media, Conde Nast Publishing, Bauer, Polestar and other similarly high profile clients.

Rob joins Simon Landau at CWE to bring together two of the UK’s foremost technical experts for GMG products.

Doug Gilbertson, Managing Director of CWE Solutions Ltd, said “This appointment underlines our commitment to keeping CWE at the leading edge of the GMG proofing and colour management sector. Without doubt we are now the number one supplier of large format GMG in the UK, a position we are proud to have achieved. Rob can only add further to the expertise that we can make available to CWE customers".

As testament to these claims, CWE recently provided the technical consultancy that saw AGI Media become the first ever UK print company to achieve FOGRA ISO12647-2 certification.

Colourgen appoint Julie Mitchell as Internal Sales Manager

Appointments 29 July 2008

julie mitchell colourgen Colourgen has appointed Julie Mitchell as its new Internal Sales Manager. Julie will be responsible for recruiting, training and managing Colourgen’s internal sales team as well as maximising and measuring sales performance to meet the company’s sales objectives. Julie will also oversee and participate in the co-ordination of sales promotion activities.

Prior to joining Colourgen, Julie was Sales Director at Grace Electronics where she oversaw an increase in turnover from £1.2million to £5million within 5 years. Overall, Julie has more than 20 years experience of working in sales, particularly in the computer supplies market, where she has held major accounts such as Comet, Office World and Spicers.

Peter Davidson, General Manager – Print Solutions, for Colourgen, comments, “Julie has extensive experience of managing and working within fast moving and dynamic sales teams. We believe she be a real asset to our team as we look forward to an exciting period of time for Colourgen. Julie will mainly be working with our reseller accounts sales team to help them support and manage these important relationships.”

Julie Mitchell comments, “I am really looking forward to the challenge of working with Colourgen. While the company is already very well established in its marketplace, I believe I can help deliver further growth by developing new ideas and new strategies.”