Zebra Print Group, a familyrun print solutions provider, is celebrating after two prestigious wins at the Yorkshire Leadership Awards 2026 by its managing director, Samantha Overton. Overton picked up both the Leader of the Year and Manufacturing Leader of the Year awards at the ceremony after impressing the judges and succeeding over some of Yorkshire’s most prominent business leaders. The judges praised Overton’s clear strategic vision, commitment to operational excellence, and passion for nurturing talent within the manufacturing sector. Zebra Print Group says that under Overton’s leadership the company has gone from “strength to strength” as it has championed British manufacturing but also delivered sustained growth and investment in people, technology, and customer service. Mark Stephenson has launched a new corporate storytelling venture, named ‘The Spark Organisation’, following the news of him leaving Fujifilm after almost 27 years. Stephenson was a longstanding business development manager at Fujifilm Europe and a key figure of the UK print industry, with a range of promotional and presenting experience including representing Fujifilm at drupa 2024. With The Spark Organisation, Stephenson will now offer his unique approach to storytelling to a wider range of clients. The Spark Organisation, so-called because of its founder’s nickname of ‘Mark the Spark’, will focus on telling engaging print stories through a variety of mediums including videos, exhibition panels, and podcasts. Speaking about his new organisation, Stephenson says: “I couldn’t resist the opportunity to work with some of the best in the print industry. I’ve become close to many top companies and made some great friends due to my involvement with the Independent Print Industries Association (IPIA). Now I hope to apply what I’ve learned to help them reach an even greater, more diverse audience.” Stephenson has already landed a host of new collaborations and ventures since announcing that he was leaving Fujifilm. Stephenson has launched a new series, titled ‘Diary of a Castaway’, with media platform Print Island. The news coincides with the announcement of a new partnership between Print Island and North American print association, PRINTING United Alliance. Those wishing to collaborate with Stephenson have been encouraged to contact him on mark@thespark.email MD at Zebra Print wins Leader of the Year award Mark Stephenson launches new organisation Overton [pictured] says the awards are testament to the hard work, creativity, and dedication of the Zebra Print Group team By Jonathan Pert By David Osgar UK specialty paper artisan, James Cropper, is celebrating a team success after being named as finalists in six categories at this year’s Women in Packaging Excellence Awards. Among the nominations is Stephanie Walker, head of technical at James Cropper, who is included in the list for Woman of the Year in Recycling & Circular Innovation. Both Jordan Scott, head of marketing, and Zoe Lovell, marketing and key account coordinator, are finalists for the Packaging Marketing & Brand Impact Award. Charlotte Knowles, customer experience and planning lead, is nominated for the Packaging Operations Excellence Award in the Manufacturers, Suppliers & Technology Specialists category. Last but not least, Julia Lawrence, regional head of sales, is a finalist for the Sales & Business Development Leader Award in the Manufacturers, Converters & Producers category. James Cropper is itself named as a finalist for the Packaging Services or Team Excellence Award. Featuring a host of new award categories, the Women in Packaging Excellence Awards 2026 aims to shine a spotlight on women from the entire packaging value chain. Iain Bullock, currently managing director of print finishing equipment manufacturer, Renz UK, will succeed Bettine Pellant as the new chief executive officer of Printing Industry Confederation (Picon) from October 2026. According to Picon, Bullock was first identified as a potential candidate for the role two years ago. Speaking about the appointment, Pellant says: “Renz UK has been a Picon member since 1997 and Iain has represented the company all that time and has been on the Council since 2019. He is well known in the industry, approachable, and he understands the challenges faced by graphic arts companies, especially SMEs.” Speaking about his predecessor, Bullock says: “I have known Bettine for nearly 20 years. During this time, at Picon events and industry functions, I have only ever heard complimentary comments about her.” Bullock will shadow Pellant from July 1st to September 30th, assuming his new role on October 1st. [L to R] Current Picon CEO, Bettine Pellant, with her successor, Iain Bullock James Cropper receives six nominations in Women in Packaging Awards Iain Bullock announced as new Picon CEO Five team members from James Cropper received individual awards, with the company itself also nominated By Jonathan Pert PEOPLE | NEWS printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine printmonthly_signlink printmonthly 16 email: editor@printmonthly.co.uk May | June 2026 - Issue 360
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