Bettine Pellant has been appointed chief executive of Picon, the UK industry association for manufacturers and suppliers to the printing, papermaking and paper converting sectors. She succeeds Tim Webb, who has stepped down after eight years in Picon’s most senior executive role.
Bettine is no newcomer to Picon and its membership, having joined in 2007 as events & administration manager. She has over 20 years’ experience in the printing industry, initially in pre-press consumables before establishing her own business dealing in new and pre-owned pre-press equipment. She then worked in exhibition and event management before joining Picon.
“I am honoured to be appointed to my new role,” says Bettine. “Thanks to the work of Tim and the Council, Picon is headed in the right direction with a growing membership made up of companies of all sizes, and an expanding roster of alliances with likeminded organisations at national and international level. I will work to enhance these relationships wherever possible.”
Tim Webb has been a Picon stalwart since 1985, when Russell-Webb, the consumables business he founded, joined what was then the BFPMS. He joined the Picon Council in 1991, became chairman in 2000 and was appointed executive director in 2007.
In these capacities Tim contributed significantly to a number of major developments affecting Picon over the last two decades.
These included the purchase of Reed Exhibitions’ 50% stake in IPEX in 1992 and the subsequent sale of the exhibition to IIR in 2006. A firm believer in co-operation between trade associations, Tim was a driving force in the 2008 merger between Picon and the APMI (Association of Printing Machinery Importers).
“The changes brought about by digital technology mean the last three decades have been fascinating and challenging, for the printing industry and for Picon,” says Tim.
“Picon’s membership has itself changed enormously, and I believe the organisation has done a good job of adapting in response to those changes and representing the full spectrum of the industry.
“The presence of global companies such as Canon and Xerox among the membership is testimony both to the impact of digital technology, and to the value of the services Picon provides.
”My time as executive director has been enormously rewarding, not least because of the wonderful support I have had from other members of the executive team, and Bettine in particular. I am handing over to a very capable successor.”
