Luke Wildey · Development Executive · Howden · The Print Show 2025
Wayne from INKISH is at The Print Show on day one, catching up with Luke Wild from Howens. Despite living only a couple of miles apart, Wayne jokes that they always seem to meet at trade shows. Luke explains that Howens specializes in providing insurance tailored specifically for print businesses, covering everything from signage and graphics to large format and related sectors. With a background in litho, digital, and print management, Luke brings hands-on industry experience to his role, aiming to secure the right cover for clients while often saving them money in the process.
He outlines the types of insurance that are critical for print companies, including commercial liability, fleet policies for vans and cars, cyber insurance, and machinery damage. Cyber insurance, in particular, is a growing priority as even small businesses are vulnerable to phishing, ransomware, and employee mistakes. Howens partners with providers to offer training, phishing simulations, reporting, and access to risk engineering teams, helping to strengthen IT and cybersecurity practices.
Luke emphasizes that while business insurance can seem daunting, it’s easier to understand when broken down step by step—much like learning imposition in print. He emphasizes the importance of collaborating with a broker who thoroughly understands the print industry, thereby simplifying and enhancing the process for clients.
Visitors to The Print Show can stop by the Howens stand to learn more, enter a prize draw for a Sage coffee machine, or try their luck at winning one of the company’s signature lions from the grab machine. A practical and insightful conversation about protecting print businesses, filmed live at the NEC 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.