The BPIF, the UK's principle printing, packaging and graphic communication business support organisation, has recently welcomed Darren Shepherd as Chairman of the North East region.

Darren moves from being Deputy Chairman of the North East region whilst James Buffoni, Head of Marketing at the Ryedale Group, now fills the Deputy position that Darren has left vacant.

The British Printing Industries Federation offers practical solutions and support to organisations in all areas of print; including Health and Safety, environmental and quality issues. They also offer a range of services such as insurance and financial alliance which provide healthcare and pensions advice. The BPIF organise regular learning seminars, events and networking, which is highly praised by its members.

Darren's main objectives as Chairman include representing the views of the North East region's members and providing feedback on both Regional and National BPIF policies. Last year the UK print sector generated a turnover of £14.3 billion from 10,500 companies, employing 140,000 people.

In his role as Jade's Managing Director, Darren boasts a wealth of knowledge, heritage and 27 years of experience in print. Darren's father, Dennis Shepherd, created Jade 40 years ago operating presses in his garage with the help of family and friends before obtaining the first company premises. Over time, the company has flourished into a full solution communications, print and new media organisation, with 52 staff generating £4 million a year in turnover.  

Darren has spent his entire life working in the print industry alongside his brother Barrie, who also works at Jade as Pre- Press Director. Darren has held a selection of roles at the company, starting out in production as a printer, then working in the estimating department and general management, before landing the role of Managing Director in 1996.

Darren said: "I am utterly thrilled to take on the role of Chairman of the BPIF North East region. The Federation do such a wonderful job in supporting the UK printing industry and it's fantastic to be involved in something that I have known all of my life, growing up as part of a family owned printing company. Jade have gone from strength to strength over 40 years and we now offer full solution marketing communications and new media products, such as QR coding and data collection, as well as print. I'm very much looking forward to working as a sounding board to help the BPIF in every way that I can."