Former Waratahs CEO Jason Allen will replace Bill Healey as CEO of Printing Industries, effective 20 July 2015.
“I’m looking forward to an exciting journey with a great team at the Printing Industries," said Allen. “Building further on the success is a challenge I accept with confidence, determination and fierce ambition.”
Healey, who is retiring after four years in the job, welcomed the appointment of his successor and said Allen’s background would complement the board’s vision for the future of the association.
“Like all organisations, The Printing Industries Association of Australia needs to constantly reinvent itself to remain relevant,” Healey said in a statement. “Jason has shown in his previous positions that he has the skills required to transform organisations. I am sure he will work with the board to implement a strategy to take advantage of the opportunities that have been identified, to ensure the ongoing success of the organisation.”
Allen has more than 20 years’ experience in a variety of senior executive positions with blue chip companies across Australia. He was CEO of the NSW Waratahs super rugby franchise before resigning last year, CEO for Australia’s largest V8 Supercars Event, the Clipsal 500 Adelaide, and a national general manager Australia for the consumer business of Vodafone. He also sits on a number of boards.
“The Printing Industries’ board and I are simply thrilled to have Jason on board as the incoming CEO,” said Printing Industries president David Leach. “We strongly believe that his talent, depth of experience and thirst for innovation will deliver positive outcomes for our members, and for the wider printing industry, throughout his tenure as CEO and beyond.”
Allen will be responsible for “effective, financially viable management of the Printing Industries and setting of, implementation and measurement of the Association’s future strategy in serving its members,” said a Printing Industries press release:
With the assistance of Bill Healey during the hand-over period, Mr Allen will also take control of initiatives such as $11.5m Future Print program, increasing research and industry transition projects, plus numerous negotiations with the government to improve the lot of Australian printers.
The industry and the association are on the verge of an exciting era through transformation from its traditional heavy metal manufacturing base to a broader, technology driven communication and information industry. The appointment of a new CEO lights the touch paper for a bright and exhilarating future.
Bill Healey took the reins in May 2011 as Printing Industries moved from a state-based council system to a single national board. Turbulent times followed as Healey tackled the job of aligning roles and personnel across the country.
Recognising the need for industry consolidation on the association side to reflect that of the production sector, he oversaw the incorporation of GASAA into the Printing Industries. He was fortunate in having David Leach come on board as President to help drive further change.
He will also be largely recognised for securing Federal Government funding for the industry and initiating the Future Print programme that has been transformative for the industry. He will depart the position of CEO leaving a national association that is hugely changed from the one he inherited.
“During five years of working at the Association I have learnt so much about the industry and the challenges and opportunities it embraces,” he said.
“I am proud of our achievements, particularly the initiation and implementation of the Future Print projects. These have set in place the foundations our members need to develop the future skill sets and business models necessary to successfully transition in the broader technology driven communication and information industry."