The Printing Charity held its 194th annual luncheon at Stationers’ Hall on Thursday 23 November, highlighting increased need for its support services and marking the departure of outgoing chair Jon Wright and vice chair James Povey.
Printing Charity president emeritus Lord Black of Brentwood presented Mr Wright and Mr Povey with commemorative medals; Mr Wright was also invited to take up the honorary appointment of president emeritus in recognition of his commitment to steering the charity through nearly two decades of transformation as trustee, honorary treasurer and most recently as chair for 10 years.
The 150-plus guests also heard a keynote speech from the charity’s 2023 president, Michael Grade, Lord Grade of Yarmouth, who praised the print industry for adapting and evolving to remain relevant in the modern world, saying that print and the printed word ‘retain a very special power’. He also stated that there has never been a more important time for the work the charity does.
Printing Charity chair David Phillips noted that the charity’s free confidential employee helpline now reaches over 25,000 people, up from 20,000 in the previous year, but asserted that ‘there are many more people who could benefit from the charity’s help’, encouraging industry supporters to continue to talk about the charity with their networks.
Printing Charity CEO Neil Lovell said, ‘The Luncheon is our flagship annual event, a chance for the industry to gather together to discuss the achievements and challenges of the last 12 months and, together, to look to the future. This year the event is even more special, as an opportunity for us to publicly spotlight the incredible work of the charity’s previous chair and vice chair, Jon Wright and James Povey, and thank them for their time and dedication as they retire from combined service of almost four decades as key members of the charity Council.’
