Young people working in print, packaging and direct mail made up a large proportion of the winners at the 2023 Printing Charity Rising Star awards, as revealed at a presentation at the House of Lords hosted by charity president emeritus Lord Black of Brentwood.

This year’s event saw 114 entries from which 34 winners were selected, across print, packaging, publishing and journalism. According to Lord Black, 59% of the winners were from the print sector, a big increase from 2022. Lord Black also welcomed the fact that 56% of the winners were female, commenting that was ‘a hugely important thing for the future of a diverse, inclusive entrepreneurial industry’.

There has also been an increase in role diversity amongst winners. This year’s winners work in a range of roles spanning administration, client management, communications, design, editorial, finance, human resources, management, marketing, sustainability and technical expertise, plus those who have founded their own businesses.

The winners will use their £1500 grants to fund a portfolio of complementary courses designed to build a range of skills and boost their capability, personal growth and career potential. This year, one in five courses chosen focuses on personal development, to build transferable skills to make it easier to adapt and continue to thrive in a rapidly-evolving and progressive industry.

Printing Charity CEO Neil Lovell said, ‘The 2023 award winners joining our constellation of Rising Stars once again show the wealth of emerging talent in the print, paper, packaging, publishing and graphics sectors.

‘Particularly key this year is that our winners are drawn from a broad range of job roles, covering a full spectrum from traditional disciplines to new technology. This, and the diversity of training options being funded by the awards this year, shows the enthusiasm of young people to grow their career within our industry, and the range of different opportunities within it. There truly is a role to fit every skillset; an important message that we think needs to be better understood by young people looking to forge their careers in dynamic and vibrant organisations.

Winners from the print and related sectors came from Solopress, Route1/Bluetree/Instantprint, Northern Flags/Faber Exposize UK, Dayfold Print, RA Smart, Amberley Labels, BCQ Group, McLaren Packaging, Webmart, Eight Days a Week, Go Inspire Group, Paragon, and Coveris UK Paper.