Darren Shepherd · National Membership Director · BPIF · The Print Show 2025
Wayne from INKISH is at The Print Show in Birmingham, where he speaks with Darren Shepard, National Membership Director of the BPIF. Darren has been with the organisation for 11 years and explains that his primary responsibility is to look after members and grow the federation’s network. The first day of the show has been very positive, with plenty of good conversations both with existing members and with companies who are discovering the full scope of BPIF’s services.
Darren explains that the BPIF recently refreshed and rebranded its membership structure. At its core, trade association membership focuses on lobbying government, providing regulatory support, and gathering industry data. Members can then add value through gold and platinum tiers, which include HR, health and safety, environmental, and legal support. Associate membership is also available for suppliers looking to connect with print businesses. The federation currently represents around 1,000 companies, covering roughly 55% of the UK print industry by turnover, and is working to expand its offer to smaller companies to reach more of the 6,800 businesses identified in the sector.
On training, Darren highlights that BPIF Training is the largest provider of apprenticeships in the print sector, with nearly 400 learners across the UK. Their courses cover all key areas of print, including press, prepress, and postpress, as well as specialised areas such as flexo, digital, litho, and bookbinding. They also offer apprenticeships in customer service, business administration, leadership, and even signage manufacturing. The training is delivered via companies themselves, but BPIF also works hard to promote careers in print to schools and young people, producing publications to highlight opportunities, earning potential, and the wide variety of roles available.
Although the average age in the print industry has remained at 42 for the past decade, Darren notes that the balance is shifting. Shop-floor roles are often filled by older staff, while younger entrants are joining through marketing, customer service, or creative roles. The BPIF continues to champion print to the next generation and provide vital support to businesses of all sizes.
A comprehensive look at the role of the BPIF in membership, advocacy, and training for the UK print industry, filmed live at The Print Show in Birmingham.
Thu September 25th
David Bunker · Director · Compass Business ...
Wayne from INKISH is at The Print Show at the NEC in Birmingham, where he catches up with David Bunker from Compass Business Finance. David has been a familiar face at trade shows for many years, and he shares his thoughts on the lively first day of the show. He explains that Compass is celebrating 20 years in business, having grown from small beginnings into a company that both lends its own money and works with around 25 different lenders to provide flexible financing options for print companies, PSPs, and converters. David highlights that, unlike going directly to a single bank, Compass can match each customer’s needs with the right lender, offering multiple options and solutions tailored to different types of investments. He stresses that it’s not only about securing the best rate but about finding the best commercial option that aligns with a customer’s long-term plans. When discussing how printers typically engage with Compass, David explains that smaller equipment purchases often come through supplier referrals or straightforward finance requests. At the same time, larger, million-pound-plus investments usually involve earlier discussions and long-term planning. Trade shows like The Print Show provide an ideal setting for those conversations to begin. He also discusses how asset depreciation impacts financing options, noting that traditional presses, such as a ten-colour Heidelberg B1, have different financial considerations compared to high-depreciation inkjet devices. To address this, Compass collaborates with initiatives such as the UK Growth Guarantee Scheme, a continuation of government-backed schemes designed to support lending, thereby giving businesses more confidence in financing equipment even during uncertain times. David emphasizes that while the print industry has faced challenges from COVID, rising costs, and market uncertainty, there is still strong momentum for investment and growth. Compass is focused on helping businesses access the right financial products to make those investments possible. A clear and practical conversation about financing in the print industry, recorded live at The Print Show in Birmingham.