Print Solutions
The Strategic Mailing Partnership has welcomed four new faces onto its board.
Chris Hughes, director of operations with Adare SEC, Alistair Ezzy, commercial director of GI Solutions, Kerry Holden, Mailbird Organisation Ltd’s managing director, and Rob Alonso, acting CEO of Opus Marketing, have all been announced as newly appointed board members to offer their insight on key issues affecting the mailing industry.
Having worked in the direct marketing industry for over 20 years, Kerry’s two businesses Mailbird and Mediascene Limited, have been members of the SMP since its launch.
He said, ‘I am absolutely delighted, and somewhat flattered, to be invited to join the SMP board. I have watched the SMP evolve into a genuine partnership between Royal Mail and mail producers. It is critical that there remains open dialogue between these stakeholders so that we can work together, learn from each other and drive the industry forward. It’s in all our interests.
‘I hope to be able work with SMP to provide insight into how the smaller businesses work and how we view the market – which is often different from that of larger organisations. I think it is important that Royal Mail, as a large organisation, understands this as well as the SME market that we work closely with.
‘I genuinely believe that there is opportunity out there and I hope to be able to work with my fellow SMP colleagues to realise these opportunities.’
Alistair added, ‘I am pleased to be joining SMP as I see it as a collaborative way to get mail on the radar of clients and agencies and to show the value it brings to the marketing mix.
‘The frank exchanges allow us to work together to make the process as simple and straightforward as possible, avoiding extra charges that frustrate clients.’
Speaking about the new look board, Judith Donovan CBE, SMP chair, believes the additions will help to bolster the organisation’s knowledge and expertise across a range of mail and marketing functions.
She said, ‘Chris, Alistair, Kerry and Rob are brilliant additions who will offer some invaluable insight into the industry across print, direct mail and digital. They each have skills and enthusiasm to help push the SMP’s activity forward. This is a really exciting time for the board and its members.’
