Ryan Miles has been appointed as the new managing director of Heidelberg UK and head of Cluster Northern Europe, a region including South Africa, Sweden and Denmark. Mr Ryan, currently managing director of the company’s South African operation, will relocate to the UK and take up the post from 1 April 2019.
Mr Miles succeeds Gerard Heanue, having reported to him for the past five years. ‘Gerard is a true gentleman and can be very proud of his achievements,’ he said. ‘He has an ability to create and steer true growth and the past five years have been the most fulfilling of my career.’
That career has included roles as finance director of Kodak SA and group chief operating officer of Itec SA, though Mr Miles says he recognises the differences between the South African and UK markets. In South Africa there is still an oversupply of production capacity and there is a continuing consolidation. The UK is largely through that phase and is one of the most productive printing markets in the world.
‘Heidelberg UK must continue to develop and innovate in order to provide the best value to its customers, whose needs are always evolving,’ Mr Miles continued. ‘Our service and support must remain world-class and we need to ensure customers can take maximum advantage of the digitised world and the advanced technology that Heidelberg can offer.’
‘Ryan and I have worked together for five years,’ commented Mr Heanue. ‘I have seen the great job he has done in revitalising the organisation there, so I had no hesitation in proposing him to the Heidelberg Board for the UK role. He is a good team player, very bright and future-focused. He is the right man to take the organisation forward.’
