PIT Awards 2022: Meet the judges

The PrintIT Awards 2022 will celebrate the achievements of our vital, ever-changing technology sector with a comprehensive programme of awards covering all aspects of the industry

The PrintIT Awards are based on merit, and as such, the majority of categories require companies to submit a written entry. These categories will be judged by an independent panel of specialists handpicked by us based on their knowledge and experience of the marketplace. We’re delighted to invite you to meet the 2022 PrintIT Awards judging panel here.

Ian Birch, Managing Director, Intelligent Business Consulting . Having spent 17 years working for Ricoh, Kyocera, and most recently as Head of Digital Transformation at Xerox, Ian founded Intelligent Business Consulting in 2018.

Ian and his team work with managed service providers to support their internal and client projects, with a focus on protecting their data and securing their business.

Recognising the growing risks facing firms of all sizes, Intelligent Business Consulting supports its clients with data protection, information security and cyber security services. www.trustibc.com

****************************************************************************

Eric Crump, Director of Strategic Alliances, Ringdale. As Director of Strategic Alliances for Ringdale, the inventor of FollowMe printing, Eric leads and develops the strategic alliance activities with global printer manufacturers and key industry analysts. He has over 25 years’ experience working in the US and the EMEA region.

Ringdale’s vendor-neutral and platinum-rated security solution, is used by the world’s leading enterprise and government organisations to protect valuable data and achieve regulatory compliance. With offices in the United States, United Kingdom, Singapore and Japan, Ringdale has a strong global partner network and established relationships with the world’s leading print manufacturers.

In addition to his role at Ringdale, Eric is also an executive board member and committee chairman for the Standards and Best Practices Committee for the Managed Print Services Association (MPSA), collaborating recently on the new Managed Print Certified program. www.followme.ringdale.com www.yourmpsa.org

****************************************************************************

Sofia Dahlqvist, Director, 55 Connect Ltd . Sofia is a leading marketing consultant with extensive experience in print, finishing, IT and software solutions.

As an independent marketing consultant with over 20 years’ experience, Sofia brings a wealth of know-how in building bespoke marketing strategies and campaigns within the print and imaging industry.

Sofia identified a gap in the market to provide a highly personalised service, whereby businesses could hire a marketing professional on a project by project basis, who would become an extension of their team; really getting under the skin of the business and working with its leaders to create powerful marketing strategies that would ultimately increase growth and sales, whilst giving them the flexibility to bring in expertise and huge industry knowledge when and where necessary.

Sofia has worked with a range of key manufacturers, including Canon, Ricoh and Apple; resellers – large and small – as well as software vendors working within the print, finishing and solutions arena. Covering projects from value propositions, campaign management, digital marketing, social media strategies and lead generation. www.55connect.co.uk

****************************************************************************

Louella Fernandes, Director, Quocirca . Louella is globally recognised as a leading authority on market trends in the print, imaging and managed services industry. As an independent industry analyst, Louella provides unique strategic insight and competitive analysis of markets which include managed print services, digital disruption, security and channel trends.

Louella has an extraordinary breadth of understanding of the global market dynamic and the rapid changes the print and imaging industry is experiencing. Key areas of current research focus include the growing impact of the IoT landscape on the printing market; why smart multifunctional products should be better leveraged as intelligent, connected devices; digital transformation, managed print services, workflow and collaboration, alongside emerging trends such as augmented reality and 3D printing. www.quocirca.com

****************************************************************************

Alison Haley, Marketing Specialist, Tangerine Design and PR. Alison Haley is a highly experienced marketeer within the office equipment industry. With a career spanning 28 years, at the heart of the office equipment dealer channel, she has an excellent reputation within the industry, for building valuable relationships and helping reseller businesses to achieve their potential through creative tailor made marketing, in-house and external communications, PR and events. For the last 17 years she has driven channel marketing activity as the UK Marketing Manager of Olivetti and, previously, spent 11 years raising the profile of Konica Minolta, and its dealers, as Advertising, PR and Events Manager.

Now, running her freelance creative marketing services business, Tangerine Design and PR, Alison continues to devote her time to the wider channel arena as well as providing marketing expertise to many other industry segments. www.tangerinedesignandpr.co.uk

***************************************************************************

Kasia Holthouse, Strategic Account Manager, Reality Labs, Meta Kasia is an experienced sales professional with a passion for strategy, customer service and digital transformation. She spent 13 years in the print industry working for both OEMs and ISVs. Through her hands on approach and focus on customer experience, Kasia earned the trust of several national and international businesses across the industry. She has a wealth of knowledge on MPS, device management, and channel dynamics.

Kasia is currently working at Meta Reality Labs, helping businesses across EMEA adapt to the ‘Future of Work’. She is a mum of two, and advocate for flexible working.

****************************************************************************

Jason Howells VP, MSP International Sales, Barracuda MSP. Jason previously worked for companies such as McAfee and Secure Networks, before becoming Regional Sales Director at Barracuda Networks in 2011.

He has over twenty years of sales and management experience driving profitable growth in IT security and data protection. He is responsible for building the MSP business unit for Barracuda Networks internationally and executing the international business strategy. www.barracudamsp.com

****************************************************************************

Brendan Perring, General Manager, IPIA. After graduating from Edinburgh University with an MA (Hons) in English Literature and History, Brendan worked as an investigative reporter for the Sunday Times of Scotland. Following this experience he moved to Wales and attained a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism from Cardiff University and carried out freelance work for a number of regional newspapers.

Brendan’s next move took him into the printing world as Editor at Signlink magazine and Deputy Editor of Print Monthly magazine. After two years he was promoted to Editor of Print Monthly and then this was shortly followed by becoming Managing Editor of Link Publishing, which owns these national print titles.

After helping to found Link Exhibitions, and with the successful launch of The Print Show, which took place for the first time in October 2015, Brendan was made director of Link Publishing and Link Exhibitions.

After a spell working in PR, looking after clients in the insurance, marketing, outsourcing and exhibition sectors, Brendan joined the IPIA to take up its newly created position of General Manager. He has been in his post for three years and the IPIA continues to go from strength to strength. https://ipia.org.uk

****************************************************************************

Jeff Root, UK Country Manager, Mobi Systems. Jeff can be described as a true industry veteran. His first foray into the world of technology was back in the day when typewriters and then fax machines were cutting-edge! He has forged a successful career path working with companies including Canon, Samsung, Panasonic, Sagemcom and Philips.

Jeff has extensive experience in sales, management and marketing across product categories including print, mobile, telecoms, imaging, scanners, audio visual and IT and has held a number of senior positions within the sector, most recently as General Manager of Sagem UK.

Having ‘left’ the industry 12 months ago to lead a Microsoft-led change programme for one of the UK’s largest housebuilders, he is currently Country Manager for Mobi Systems, a pioneer in multi-device, cross-platform mobile app development. www.mobisystems.com

****************************************************************************

Jeremy Spencer, Founder & CEO, Gaia Together. Jeremy has lived in the print and IT industry for 25 years, seeing the market evolve and develop at pace and has an objective and informed reasoning of the landscape. He has worked with independents and manufacturers, covering all aspects of delivery from MPS and IT services, marketing strategies and sustainable business practices.

Having founded Gaia Together, Jeremy is now following his passion as an environmental proponent and firm believer that sustainable business is good business. He is currently working with companies to help them interpret their environmental impacts, providing advice and guidance in delivering innovative carbon management strategies, reducing carbon footprints and demonstrating environmental commitments. www.gaiatogether.com

****************************************************************************

Julian Stafford, Former Managing Director, Midshire . Having been in print for most of his career, Julian is a valuable addition to the judging panel. He began his career as Dealer Manager for Riso where he rose through the ranks to become National Sales Manager.

In 1997, he left Riso to set-up Midshire with friends Phil Powell and Kevin Tunley. Phil ran the Birmingham operation, while Julian headed up the northern division, which provided him with the opportunity to move back to his native Stockport. Midshire was Riso’s biggest dealer in Europe and was a major reseller for many OEMs including Panasonic, Ricoh, Toshiba and Sharp, the business also partnered with HP and Lexmark for A4 printers.

Prior to an acquisition by Sharp in 2017, the business’ annual turnover was c£35 million. Julian agreed to stay on and lead the business while it continued to operate as an independent organisation. By November 2019, Midshire had become fully integrated with Sharp’s direct operation, and Julian decided the time was right to retire and pursue other interests.

He is currently mentoring a number of SMEs, helping them to achieve strategic business goals; remains active in the commercial and residential property sectors; enjoying spending time with his family and travelling.

****************************************************************************

David Tulip

David Tulip, Managing Director, Network Group. David Tulip has now been in and around technology for 35 years, having started out programming in 1986. However he chose a commercial rather than technical route in business and today he serves as both Managing Director of Network Group and its trading arm Technology To Go (TTG).

David feels privileged to be to be involved in something that resonates so deeply and complements his skillset as a connector and networker; Network Group is the leading community of Technology Service Providers in the UK&I. A truly engaged peer community of approaching 100 Member companies, who are in turn responsible for 100,000+ managed endpoints and circa $250m annual revenues. David brings the benefit of a broad view from his MSP community and the customers they serve. www.nbg.co.uk

****************************************************************************

Reasons to be a part of the PrintIT Awards

Award wins have enormous value for businesses and can help you stand out from the competition. Even making the shortlist brings tonnes of kudos – serving to enhance your reputation, showcase your capabilities, motivate your staff, strengthen relationships with partners, demonstrate your value as a trusted supplier to customers and prospects, and much, much more.

Award wins can help you stand out from the competition – but remember you’ve got to be in it to win it!
You can enter as many categories as you wish, however each entry must be unique.
If you are shortlisted for an award or a sponsor, you can leverage increased brand awareness through coverage in PrintIT Reseller magazine.
Sponsor an award category and position your business firmly in the minds of your target market.
See your company name in lights – sponsors’ and shortlisted companies’ logos will feature on stage at the awards ceremony, as well as on all awards collateral.
Book a table at the awards dinner, it’s an ideal opportunity to celebrate great teamwork, motivate and reward employees!

Entering the awards is straightforward, simply visit www.printitawards.co.uk and register your details.

Entries open on May 3 and to be in with a chance of winning an award, you must submit your entries by 5pm on July 22. It is completely free to nominate your company for an award, so there’s no excuse not to throw your hat in the ring! We would encourage you to enter as many categories as you see fit to increase your chances of winning.

You can view the 2022 categories online at www.printitawards.co.uk

To find out more about sponsorship opportunities or to book a table please call Neil or Ethan on 01732 759725 or email: awards@printitawards.co.uk

KEY DATES