Annual awards provide over £111,000 in training support for young professionals across the print, paper, packaging and publishing industries.
The Printing Charity recognised 82 young professionals from the print, paper, packaging, and publishing industries at its annual Rising Star Awards, held at the House of Lords.
Hosted by the charity’s President Emeritus, Lord Black of Brentwood, the event celebrated emerging industry talent and awarded more than £111,000 in funding to support professional development. The funding will enable recipients to undertake 155 training courses covering areas such as vehicle wrapping, UX design, textile printing, sustainability, artificial intelligence, leadership, and project management.
Neil Lovell, CEO of the Printing Charity, said the awards reflect both the quality of young professionals entering the industry and the sector’s ongoing commitment to nurturing future talent.
He noted that the 82 winners demonstrate the industry’s strong support for young professionals, adding that continued investment in new talent will help drive the future growth of the print sector.
Lord Black of Brentwood highlighted the importance of encouraging the next generation of print professionals, saying the awards showcase the industry’s future and the opportunities available to young people pursuing careers in the creative and printing sectors.
Among this year’s recipients was Aaron Leishman, Process Design and Development at Bluetree Group, who said the funding would help him continue developing his skills and contribute to the industry’s future.
Melissa Oakley, Account Executive at Paragon, described the recognition as a significant personal achievement and welcomed the opportunity to further develop her career through the award.
The annual Rising Star Awards continue to highlight the Printing Charity’s commitment to supporting the next generation of professionals and strengthening the long-term future of the print, packaging, paper, and publishing industries.