BOSS Leaders of the Future Conference 2018

UK industry association BOSS returned with its award-winning Leaders of the Future Conference at London’s historic Stationers’ Hall last Friday.

Chaired by Leaders of the Future Committee members Aaron Hopkinson of Brother UK and Emily Jones of Fellowes UK, the event gathered up-and-coming young talent from across the office products sector for a day of motivational speeches, networking and workshops.

The first speaker was record-breaking adventurer Alex Staniforth who left the room in awe after sharing his inspirational story of surviving the 2015 Nepal earthquake during an attempt to climb Mount Everest. He spoke about learning from apparent failure and challenged the crowd to conquer their own ‘Everests’. Aged just 22, Staniforth told attendees how he had managed to overcome the trauma of the earthquake and his own mental health challenges to become the fastest person ever to climb the 100 highest points in the UK. His positivity and sense of adventure were infectious, and he was the talk of the conference.

The OP industry’s very own mountain climber, BOSS CEO Philip Lawson had the unenviable task of following Staniforth’s speech and turned the topic to business-related matters. He delivered an eye-opening presentation about the rapidly evolving world of sales as the role of the salesperson moves away from traditional face-to-face methods to a more online-focused, consultative approach.

Next up was Fiona Mills, Director of Marketing and E-Commerce at label manufacturer Avery UK. Charting Avery’s move online and the launch of its e-commerce printing platform, Mills openly shared the highs and lows of getting an OP business selling on the web in just 100 days.

Managing Director of Prime Group Jon Tolley then took to the stage to deliver some words of wisdom from his own 30-year career at the head of a successful UK printing business. His speech painted a bright future for the OP industry and encouraged the young delegates to embark on their own personal journeys of self-development.

After a networking lunch, Garry Mellor, Senior Process Improvement Engineer at the British Printing Industries Federation, led the room through an interactive productivity workshop involving tennis balls. Mellor commented on the “unique and creative” ways attendees took to the task which resulted in a few smashed glasses. Thankfully the Hall’s priceless stained-glass windows were left intact.

Attendees then had the rare opportunity to pick the brains of some of the UK industry’s most-respected leaders as part of the two panel discussions held in the afternoon.

The first panel comprised United Managed Office Services Sales and Marketing Director Darren Lloyd, COLOP UK Managing Director Kiran Mistry, FusionPlus Data Managing Director Steve Bilton, and Avery UK VP of Sales Jonathan Smith. Coordinated by BOSS Chairman Geoffrey Betts, the group spoke of camaraderie and the importance of looking after your team.

The second discussion involved Fellowes UK Senior Account Manager Richard Monk, Prima Managing Director Ian Buckley, Pentel Director of Sales UK and Ireland Graham Craik, EVO Group CEO Steve Haworth, and Highlands Managing Director Europe Jade Wilson. With Safescan General Manager UK and Ireland Steve Robinson as chair, the panel outlined the qualities needed to make a good leader and highlighted some of the tough decisions faced by those at the top.

The conference ended with a special mention to the departing Haley-mae Benton. As well as her work as Channel Sales Manager at Avery UK, Benton helped found the Leaders of the Future Committee last year and has served as its Chairperson. She delivered a heart-felt goodbye to her industry colleagues and friends, passing over the baton to Emily Jones.

Commenting on the day, Benton said: “The feedback from others during breaks and afterwards – both young and old – was so positive. I was really proud to be part of it and am leaving the industry on a high.”

London, UK

This article first appeared on opi.net under the title "BOSS encourages young industry talent".