David Phillips, COO of Paragon’s Customer Communications business line, becomes Charity Chair following Jon Wright’s decade-long tenure in the role.
Following its 2023 AGM, the Printing Charity is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Chair, David Phillips (pictured), and Vice Chair, Julia Cole.
David and Julia move into these positions following the Charity’s 2023 AGM, when previous Chair Jon Wright and Vice Chair James Povey stepped down. James and Jon have served the maximum tenure in a Trustee role, both joining Council in 2004.
David Phillips has worked at Paragon in various senior operational roles since starting with the organisation in 2006. Promoted in April 2023 to Chief Operating Officer for the Paragon Customer Communications business, David is a keen advocate of developing future talent, and plays a key strategic role within Paragon’s growth and innovation.
Julia has spent her lifetime in printing, a career she is incredibly passionate about. Starting with Xerox in the 1980s and becoming a highly-regarded name in sales and sales training, she spent time at OKI and then moved to HP, where she spent 15 years in roles heading up UK marketing, transforming Dscoop EMEA, and in a global role working with brands, agencies, programmes and training courses to enable customers to grow their businesses. Julia is currently working as non-exec strategy consultant for the British Printing Industry Federation (BPIF).
The Printing Charity has also appointed three new Trustees, who were specifically recruited to bring crucial additional legal, social care and financial expertise to the board.
Catherine Cook is a qualified solicitor admitted in England, Wales and Scotland. She has over 26 years’ experience advising on corporate real estate transactions, and until May 2021 was a real estate partner at Clifford Chance LLP.
Sam Hay has worked in Health & Social Care for 30 years, starting as a Social Worker and then moving into senior management positions in strategic commissioning, business development and operational delivery. He is a passionate advocate for mental health and wellbeing and is currently working as Head of Social Care for Mental Health Matters, a national specialist charity supporting young people and adults experiencing mental health challenges.
Si Mathavan is currently a partner at Johnston Carmichael, part of the Moore Global network, leading on risk assurance and internal audit. He is also involved in ESG and chairs the Risk Advisory working group for the international firm. He has 18 years of experience working with public and private sector organisations including large, listed companies, government regulators and highly regulated firms. He previously worked for BDO and Ernst & Young in their financial services assurance practice.
Printing Charity CEO Neil Lovell said: “We at the Charity are incredibly grateful for all the time and energy that Jon and James have given to us, firstly as Members of our Council and then as Chair and Vice Chair. Their strategic guidance and support over the years have enabled the Charity to be there for more people in our industry than ever before, whenever they need us. We owe them both a huge debt of gratitude for their unstinting commitment.
“I’m delighted that David is stepping into the role of Chair, and Julia as Vice Chair in this, her last year as a trustee. Both bring extensive knowledge and understanding of the print industry and the people who work within it, which will help us increase our ability to provide the best possible support and services to those who need it.
“We are fortunate to have recruited three exceptional new Trustees, Catherine, Sam and Si, who add crucial insight and experience in various key disciplines to our already strong Trustee Board. As we look to the future, the additional legal, financial and welfare skills they bring will ensure effective oversight of the charity’s broad activities, and assist in the successful development of future services. I’m very much looking forward to working together to continue to grow the charity’s reach and impact as we prepare to celebrate our 200th year in 2027.”
The charity’s Trustee Board now comprises David Phillips (Chair), COO of Paragon Customer Communications; Julia Cole (Vice Chair), non-exec strategy consultant for the BPIF; Pauline Blake (Honorary Treasurer), Internal Audit Director, Financial Times; Richard Bernstein, Compliance Director, JM Finn; Louisa Bull, National Officer GPM/IT Sector & Services Sector, Unite the Union; Catherine Cook, Solicitor; Sam Hay, Head of Social Care, Mental Health Matters; Si Mathavan, Partner, Johnstone Carmichael; and Andrew Neal, Chief People Officer, Communisis.