Ashman joins local Fespa board

Durst Oceania CEO Matt Ashman has become a board member at wide format industry association Fespa Australia, taking his place as the suppliers’ representative.

The five person board now comprises president Nigel Davies, from VMG Print Group; vice president David Asker from ImageBox; treasurer Mark Brooks from Ancyn Screen Printers; secretary Keith Ferrel, from Cactus Imaging; and the new supplier director Ashman.

Davies, whose role was unchallenged at the recently held AGM, explains, “We have had a long-standing relationship with Durst and in particular Matt Ashman. Not only does he bring a wealth of experience and knowledge, but his support towards Fespa and our vision is second to none.”

Ashman said, “This is a great honour to be nominated as a Board member of Fespa Australia. I am delighted to be part of a well respected, internationally recognised Association. I’m particularly looking forward to being involved in some of the forthcoming initiatives that Fespa has tabled for 2021.”

Davies said, "I would like to thank the other Board members for their tireless work over the past two terms, which has been particularly challenging during Covid. The strength of our board lies in supporting our membership, and I am excited at what we will achieve over the next two years."

Fespa Australia connects local wide format and screen printers to the global resources of 16,000 printers worldwide, who are part of their local Fespa associations, and who share national and international knowledge. Members include leading digital printers, screen printers, sign makers and promotional product printers manufacturing a diverse range of products.

Fespa also runs the global Fespa expo, which has been postponed three times due to Covid and is currently slated to take place in Amsterdam in October, although Australian printers are unlikely to be able to attend given that the government is flagging no opening of the borders until next year.