Jewson, who has held the post for the past 17 years, will be replaced by current non-executive director Richard Wyatt who will take up the post on 1 January 2014. “I have been honoured to serve as both a director and chairman of Archant for the last 31 years,” said Jewson. “During that time I have seen Archant grow from a small newspaper company in East Anglia into a successful community media business operating across the UK. “I have always intended to retire by the time I reach 70 and this is now a good time to hand over to my successor, Richard Wyatt, to whom I wish all success.” Adrian Jeakings, chief executive of Archant, said: “Richard has played a major role in the development of Archant. He has been hugely helpful to me since I took on the role of chief executive and I wish him every happiness in his retirement. “I am delighted that Richard Wyatt has accepted the position of Archant chairman and look forward to working with him in the future.” Richard Wyatt will become Archant chairman on 1 January 2014 Wyatt, 54, has been a non-executive director of Archant since 2005. He is chairman of Loudwater Investment Partners and media agency the Engine Group and is also a senior advisor of NM Rothschild and a trustee of Aldeburgh Music. He was formerly a managing director of Schroder Securities and Lazard. “I am delighted to have been appointed chairman of Archant,” he said. “I would wish to pay the strongest of tributes to Richard Jewson, who has contributed to the success and growth of Archant for more than 30 years. “He is, and will remain, a source of wise counsel for me, and I wish him well in his retirement.”...

The 3692, which can be used in the Pantera and Alegro A6 perfect binding lines, can handle large oblong signatures, such as A4 landscape, at the full 6,000 cycles per hour speed, unlike the 1571, which had to reduce speed to around 2,000cph. In addition, the 3692 can handle spine lengths up to 460mm and signature thicknesses of up to 6mm, versus 450mm and 4mm on its predecessor. Muller Martini UK sales director David McGinlay said that this tied in better with the size ranges available on the Alegro A6. Another enhancement with the new machine is the fact it is compatible with the Muller Martini Application Platform (MMAP), which means it can be connected to Muller Martini’s Book Data Center (BDC), which measures the thickness, size, trim, spine position and everything else relevant to the production of a book and automates the setup of the whole binding line. “The BDC automates the setup of the whole line, the gatherer, binder, conveyor, stacker, trimmer and the splitting saw for 2up A5 production,” said McGinlay. “The old 1571 couldn’t be networked but with the 3692 the whole line can be networked – that alone is going to reduce job changeover times by more than 50%.” The 3692, which comes with four stations by default, is also compatible with Muller Martini’s book verification system, which comprises an optical scanning system that reads an AsirCode printed on the spine or outside the trim to prevent production with incorrectly set-up signatures. “The book verification system ensures with 100% accuracy that the correct text goes with the correct cover, so you don’t end up with the Spanish cover on the French text, for instance, and that all the signatures are in the correct hoppers,” said McGinlay. “It’s driven by the fact that first book you create has to be saleable, because in the digital market you might only be doing a run of one book – you can’t take 10 copies to get the machine set up.” McGinlay added that the first commercial install of the 3692 was currently taking place at Micropress in the UK, on an Alegro A6....

As the industry emerges from the challenges of the past few years, forward-thinking print leaders are looking to identify the future opportunities that will ensure their businesses continue to evolve and grow. While the specific opportunities will vary, the methodology behind identifying these opportunities, developing a strategy to implement them, and then actually embracing them will be common across many different business types. Our confirmed speakers are: Andy Bailey, Inc Direct director, client strategy & insight, Darren Coxon, managing director, Pensord, BCQ Group chairman and managing director Richard Knowles and David Laybourne, managing director, Real Digital International. This afternoon event, held on the same day as the PrintWeek Awards, is aimed at directors of UK print companies. Attendance is free, but places will be strictly limited as our goal is to ensure this event has real value, both in terms of information and networking. The Directors’ briefing will take place on Monday 21 at The St Brides Foundation in central London. The event will start at 1pm, with an informal buffet lunch, and we expect it to finish no later than 4pm. For more information on the speakers and to reserve your place, click here....

As the industry emerges from the challenges of the past few years, forward-thinking print leaders are looking to identify the future opportunities that will ensure their businesses continue to evolve and grow. While the specific opportunities will vary, the methodology behind identifying these opportunities, developing a strategy to implement them, and then actually embracing them will be common across many different business types. Our confirmed speakers are: Andy Bailey, Inc Direct director, client strategy & insight, Darren Coxon, managing director, Pensord, BCQ Group chairman and managing director Richard Knowles and David Laybourne, managing director, Real Digital International. This afternoon event, held on the same day as the PrintWeek Awards, is aimed at directors of UK print companies. Attendance is free, but places will be strictly limited as our goal is to ensure this event has real value, both in terms of information and networking. The Directors’ briefing will take place on Monday 21 at The St Brides Foundation in central London. The event will start at 1pm, with an informal buffet lunch, and we expect it to finish no later than 4pm. For more information on the speakers and to reserve your place, click here....

Lydiatt had been at Communisis for seven years and was instrumental in the group’s move into colour digital printing. He left Communisis at the end of last month and took up his new job yesterday (7 October). He said he was looking forward to the fresh challenge and described ProCo as a “fantastic company”. ProCo managing director Jon Bailey said Lydiatt brought “great complementary skills” to the business. “His role will be instrumental in strengthening a newly-defined sales process and proposition for the business as a whole,” Bailey said. Lydiatt’s remit will include project management, the smooth integration of new business and the development of new technology innovations at ProCo. He said: “The biggest challenge is that I will be working with Jon, who talks almost as much as I do and is just as enthusiastic. We’ll be fighting over the same oxygen!” ProCo has sales of £11m, employs 110 staff and provides print, cross-media and marketing communications services....