Writing by hand faces as big a threat today from new media and technology as manuscript writers did over 500 years ago when William Caxton introduced printing to England. The Stationers’ Company are hosting an important initiative on Monday 23rd October, to hear what a panel of industry leaders have to say regarding this emotive subject.
The world is full of stationery lovers and users, but some commentators claim that ‘no one writes by hand any more’, and that letter writing and card sending are in serious decline. World population and literacy levels are rising but so are postage costs, and steeply in the UK, while delivery times and service levels are falling. All this is happening at a time of ever increasing digital communication.
It is an emotive subject with major implications for many including schools and teachers, printers and publishers, and retailers and suppliers of greeting cards, writing and paper products.
- What are the facts?
- What are the trends, and the threats?
- What does the future hold?
- Does being able to write by hand matter anymore?
A panel of industry leaders will share their knowledge and views at this important event which will take place at the magnificent 350 years old Stationers’ Hall. It will also be live streamed.
It will separate the myths from the facts, and provide attendees with valuable insights and pointers to the way ahead.
The debate will be chaired by Past Master Helen Esmonde.
The speakers are:
Graham Craik – Sales Director, Pentel and Chairman, Writing Instruments Association.
Graham started his career selling writing instruments back in 1982, managing several stationery retailers in West London. Over the last 30 years he has worked for a number of major pen brands including Tipp-Ex, Bic, Staedtler, Maped/Helix and, for the last 10 years, Pentel.
Graham has worked with all sectors of the market throughout his career, in B2B and B2C – firstly in sales and then in senior management, both in the UK domestic market and internationally.
For the last six years Graham has represented the writing instruments industry as Chairman of the Writing Instruments Association (WIA) and is involved in several Special Interest forums as part of the BOSS Federation (Office Products) trade association. Graham is passionate about handwriting, with particular emphasis on its place in education and the benefits of using colour in writing and drawing.
Fun Fact: Graham has calculated that during his career so far, he has been responsible for the sale of roughly seven billion pens and pencils – one per head of the global population.
Claire Durney – Director, online retailer Cult Pens who sell ‘The widest range of pens on the planet’.
Following University, Claire started working at Entertainment UK, a distributor of home entertainment products, where, during her 8 years there, she gained experience across Operations, Logistics, Buying and Sales/Account Management which proved to be an excellent grounding in all things business. From there Claire moved into the music industry working for SonyBMG and then EMI Records – both roles in the Sales and Commercial teams. After almost a decade being in or around the music industry Claire joined notonthehighstreet.com in 2009. This was a fast growth start up, one of the first UK online marketplaces, and she ran the Supplier side of the business for 7 years supporting and developing the small businesses that sold through the platform. In 2016 Claire moved to Moonpig.com as Commercial Director responsible for the product ranges and trading performance of the business. And finally, coming full circle, Claire found myself back in my homestead Devon, joining Cult Pens in September 2019 and taking over the running of the business from the founders Simon and Amanda Walker in early 2020. Always learning and always loving working in businesses with creativity at the heart of what they do.
Amanda Fergusson – CEO, Greeting Card Association/Thinking Of You Week.
Amanda is CEO of the Greeting Card Association, the independent trade body for the UK card community, an industry she is passionate about. She has worked in the industry for over 30 years, latterly as Sales and Marketing Director at Caroline Gardner, a design-led card and gift company. Previously she held senior roles at Hallmark Cards, and The Andrew Brownsword Collection.
In the early part of her career Amanda had her own business importing and distributing products, and latterly as a business consultant and mentor. She has served as a non-executive in both public sector and private sector roles.
Dr Mellissa Prunty – Chair, National Handwriting Association, Senior Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, Brunel University London.
Schedule:
6.30 PM Drinks and Networking
7.00 PM Presentations and discussions
8.30 PM Buffet, Drinks and networking
9.30 PM Event Ends
Tickets:
£30 Stationers’ Company Members
£35 Non Members
£10 Virtual
