Winners of The Printing Charity’s Rising Star Awards celebrated receiving grants of up to £1,500 each to boost their skills at a reception at the House of Lords on 7 July hosted by Lord Black of Brentwood, deputy chairman of the Telegraph Media Group and the charity’s president emeritus.
This year’s awards received 114 applications and the 52 winners from over 40 companies represent a cross section of the sector from print and publishing to paper, journalism, and graphic arts, says the charity.
At the event, Lord Black said: “On a truly momentous day in Westminster, it’s so good to be back after three long years and to see that the talent is as bright and shining as ever. Thank you to all who have made these awards such a force in our industry and a beacon for young talent.
“This sector used to be thought of as dominated by men so I’m particularly thrilled that of the 52 winners, 40 are women. That’s a real cause for celebration. The ladies have stolen the show. It’s awards like this and the message they send that will help us keep challenging outdated perceptions, breaking down remaining barriers, and showing how very real our commitment is to equality, diversity, and inclusion.”
Neil Lovell, The Printing Charity’s chief executive, said: “One of the most important things we do in the year is raise awareness of young people in the sector and how vital they are. Our awards are nearly 20 years old but one thing we know from the last few years is you certainly cannot predict the future, but we do know that to thrive you have to adapt.
“Our sector does that and it’s the young people in the room today and those joining our sector doing amazing things that these awards are about. They are a fantastic way of shining a light on current and future talent and it’s important that moving forward we use your voice to encourage others to come into the sector. Without you, the sector will die. The judges were blown away by the enthusiasm and desire to learn and do more.”
This year’s rising stars: Sophie Allott, Lauren Baldwin, Spencer Batchelor, Victoria Blackwell, Dominic Booth, Hannah Bradfield, Ben Bray, Rosie Catcheside, Hannah Chukwu, Suzanne Connelly, Michael Crossland, Chelsea Davis, Casey Davoren, Joe Della, Jessica Du Plessis, Ben Eliot, Daniela Ferrante, Cyann Fielding, Annabelle Gauntlett, Chelsea Graham, Louise Gyles, Lauryn Hall, Émilie Hames, Elsie Hargate, Florence Hassall, Helena Heald, Millie Higham, Stephanie Killelay, Isabel Martin, Morven McIntyre, Maria Omena-Neale, Samuel O’Neill, Lydia Osborne, Hannah Penny, Frances Preston, Tayler Regan, Verity Rimmer, Jack Sanger, Kate Sassienie, Katie Shearer, Gerard Shields, Dom Smith, Oliver Smith, Verity Stuart, Jack Taylor, Jessica Thompson, Katherine Totterdell, Molly Turner, Lucinda Waller, Charlotte Wells, Sara Wilkinson, and Rose Wolfe-Emery.
This year’s judges were:
- Danny Arter, The Bookseller
- David Bottomley, Agfa
- Kerry Bradbury, Graphic Packaging International
- Joanne Butcher, NCTJ
- Julia Cole, Trustee
- Jem Collins, Journo Resources
- Aimee Dewar, BookMachine
- Emma Fells, HH Global
- Guy Forester, DC Thomson
- Susan Graham, FLB Group
- Petra Green, Publishing Training Centre
- Janet Marshall, Arjowiggins
- Andrew Neal, Communisis
- Amanda Newman, Tharstern
- Brendan Perring, IPIA
- Richard Pickard, Telegraph Media Group
- Ian Pollock, Mark Andy UK
- Jackie Sidebottom-Every, packaging consultant, Glossop Cartons
- Laura Summers, BookMachine
- Lucy Swanston, Nutshell Creative
- Susan Wright, Earth Island Publishing