Mark Bristow succeeds Gerard Heanue as chairman of Picon

Print Solutions

Mark Bristow, managing director of Friedheim International, has been elected chairman of Picon, the organisation for UK printing industry manufacturers and suppliers. He succeeds Gerard Heanue, recently retired managing director of Heidelberg UK.

‘Gerard provided a positive focus on maintaining and developing member benefit initiatives,’ said Mark Bristow. ‘I have three key aims during my two years in office. The first is to maintain and develop the training initiatives and grant systems we have introduced for members. I also hope to develop the business support opportunities we offer to members and, thirdly, to encourage greater co-operation with other print and business organisations to improve the impact we have on government as well as influencing designers and marketing professionals.’

Mark has been in the printing industry for over 32 years. He has a BA Hons in English from Nottingham University and is a qualified accountant. He joined Oscar Friedheim in 1987 and became a director four years later. He and the late Peter Morris were instrumental in the buyout of Friedheim International from the Bobst Group in 2005 and extending the company portfolio beyond commercial finishing for traditional and digital printing sectors into packaging and converting.

‘Picon is a great focus for members to meet and network through seminars, working or focus groups, to gain access to wider industry experience or knowledge, to use established resources for health and safety, employment law, regulatory changes and more,’ said Mark. ‘There are grant benefits that members can enjoy and one should never underestimate the trust, friendship and advice that is available. It is a very social organisation where key personnel can meet to discuss and review topics together for their mutual benefit.’

There are some key events during Mark’s tenure, not least two Global Print meetings and drupa. There will be Global Print meetings at Print19 in Chicago later this year and at drupa. It is at these meetings where all countries come together to review developments and the market. He believes forward thinking printers will attend drupa, recognising this is key to ensuring their companies improve their productivity and performance and see what is possible and how that will benefit their strategic focus and planning.

Picon has also announced the appointment of George Clarke as the company secretary and financial controller, succeeding Andrew Hamilton who has retired. George is a former Heidelberg UK managing director.

Although Gerard Heanue will step down, he will continue in the role of chair the finance committee.