Chief executive of print charity to retire early after 12 successful years

Stephen Gilbert, who helped transform the charity enabling it to respond to the changing needs of the sector, will take early retirement.

Mr Gilbert said: “I’m grateful to the Trustees for the opportunity to retire a year early. I have enjoyed the 12 years I spent with the charity and I’m delighted to be able to leave on a high in a year where we have almost doubled the number of people helped in 2014.”

Under Mr Gilbert’s leadership the charity was relaunched in 2010 as The Printing Charity and was granted a second Supplemental Royal Charter in 2014, enabling it to help more people in new ways.

When he joined in 2003, the number of people the charity was helping was dwindling. By 2015, the year the charity celebrated the 150th anniversary of the granting of its first Royal Charter, The Printing Charity helped over 1,000 people, exceeding its 2015 target.

Mr Gilbert helped form partnerships with other charities, organisations, and trade associations to help more people of all ages.

He has also been instrumental in initiatives, like the annual Print Futures Awards, to help train the new generation entering the UK printing, publishing, packaging, and graphic arts sectors.

“I’m looking forward to an easier pace of life although I intend to remain in the charity sector carrying out part-time and project work,” Mr Gilbert said.

He added: “I feel now is the right time to pass the Charity on to the next generation to cherish and protect and deliver the vital work that it provides.”