Meet the Team

Paul Douglas – Managing Director

Paul has been the driving force behind Palladian since it was founded in 1995, and it’s under his leadership that the company has become one of the UK’s leading print firms and won an enviable reputation for quality and customer service.

Paul believes in combining investment with innovation to make sure Palladian has the edge over its competitors, but knows above all that the company’s greatest asset is high calibre staff who share in the firm’s vision and success.

In those all-too-rare spare moments, Paul is a devoted Colchester United fan, keen digital photographer, golfer, angler and passionate CD and vinyl collector.

Steve Green – Sales and Marketing Director

Steve not only wins new business for the company, but he also looks after new clients and makes sure Palladian maintains its enviable position in the local and regional business communities – and further afield. Often the first point of contact with customers, Steve is well known for getting to know clients' businesses back to front and helping them use Palladian’s creative and print services in ways that give them the edge over their competitors.

Also a Colchester United fan, Steve’s other interests include travel, restaurants and fronting a well-known punk band.

Mark Raven – Operations Director

Mark directly manages 26 production staff and he’s also responsible for product quality, stock purchasing, the technical department, health and safety, performance monitoring, planning and much, much more. Since joining Palladian in 2005, Mark has distinguished himself by a complete dedication to the company’s ethos of quality and service, realising that it is the key to the firm’s continuing expansion and success.

Mark’s also a keen sports fan, backing Essex at cricket and injecting a little rivalry into the company with his support of West Ham. A dedicated family man, he enjoys spending time with his wife and teenage children as well as continually improving the skills and knowledge he brings to his job.

William Pretty – Customer Services Manager

William’s long-standing career in the print industry gave him the perfect background for his present role as Palladian’s Customer Services Manager, to which he was appointed in 2004. William schedules work, organises staff working patterns and ensures deadlines are met. He loves the challenge and variety of his job, which requires frequent problem solving and decision-making. He believes it’s Palladian’s duty to get things right – first time, every time.

In his spare time, William is an avid follower of West Ham and is an occasional golfer. Above all, though, he loves spending time with his family.

Nick Finch – Customer Services

Nick is a key point of contact for customers; and with a background in production management and an apprenticeship in the industry, he is brilliant at translating the technicalities of printing into practical help for clients, enabling them to get the product they need.

An ex-football referee, Nick is a keen sportsman who also enjoys gardening, DIY and walking.

Lucy King – Customer Services

Lucy prides herself on anticipating the needs of her customers, and enjoys working with them face-to-face, by phone or by email. She can supply estimates, advice, guidance and – above all – reassurance when a job is in progress. For her, pulling out all the stops for each and every client, and working as part of a dedicated team, is what makes Palladian such a great place to work.

In her spare time, Lucy enjoys swimming, travelling and spending time with her family. She’s always up for a new challenge too: she’s busy taking golf lessons at the moment and she actively raises funds for charities that include St Elizabeth Hospice and Cancer Research UK.

Ben Scott – Customer Services

With five years' experience at Palladian Press, Ben is an enthusiastic advocate of Palladian’s service ethic, seeing his role “to make it happen” for customers. Ben offers clients that bit extra by helping them to make informed choices about their print projects, and enjoys getting involved in all aspects of Palladian’s service.

When he’s not at work, Ben enjoys spending time with his children, not to mention taking part in pastimes like sailing and hiking.

Margaret Smith – Customer Services

Margaret is an experienced customer service executive who has worked for Palladian Press from the outset. She is passionately enthusiastic about the company and its goals, welcoming any change that results in improved service levels for her clients. Margaret believes the most significant attribute of the company is its dedication to quality, which makes customer relationships much stronger and more rewarding.

Margaret has many interests, including holidays, gardening, her family, socialising with friends and meeting new people.

Susan Burling – Receptionist and Administrator

Susan has one of the most varied roles at Palladian. She answers calls, greets customers, processes stock orders, gets involved with the accounts and helps out Mark, our Operations Director. She particularly likes the fact that no two days are the same and that everyone she works with is so quality conscious and customer oriented. It’s an ethos she finds inspiring.

Susan likes to relax by walking her dog Henry, and by spending time on her sketches or paintings.

Alan Williams – Sales & Marketing

Alan’s role is to identify new areas of business, make contact with potential clients and then build up a fruitful relationship with each and every one. He particularly likes solving customers’ problems and, with 20 years’ shop floor experience, loves working in a factory environment. As he says, “you never stop learning in printing”, and he feels his marketing has a keener edge because Palladian not only offers expertise in traditional print, but also excels in new media, web design, ecommerce and many other areas.

In his spare time Alan plays six-a-side football, waves the flag for Chelsea, goes to gigs, tackles DIY and walks his dogs. He also enjoys spending as much time as possible with his four children.

Ken Donaldson – Commercial Manager

Ken is responsible for making sure Palladian’s financial affairs tick over smoothly. Whether he’s entering invoices, operating the payroll, handling legal matters, arranging insurances or doing something completely different, Ken sees his primary role as continually ensuring that the company operates on a sound financial footing. He is particularly proud of Palladian’s service ethic, and of the team’s ability and willingness to go that extra mile. As he points out: “humour is never far away, and it’s the essential ingredient that keeps the Palladian team working as just that – a team.”

When Ken’s not spending his free time playing football, golf or racquet sports, he’s usually busy with church work, counselling or walking his Welsh springer spaniel, Rusty.

Nick Nicklin – Studio Manager

Nick Nicklin has worked in the printing trade for 30 years and has been with Palladian Press since 1997. In his role as Studio Manager, he’s responsible for guiding customers’ artwork through the technical processes needed to make the perfect lithographic plate. It’s not always easy, but Nick shares the team’s commitment to high standards and will never settle for second best.

Nick has lots of interests that he pursues in his free time, including computer gaming, squash, football, swimming and diving.

Dean Allen – Senior Designer

Dean is one of Palladian’s senior creative designers and has experience in graphic design, advertising, video graphics and computer animation. He works closely with Steve Green to form what could be termed an "ideas factory", tailoring clients’ requirements, industry and budget to the best possible design solution. Dean enjoys direct contact with his customers and believes their input is vital to the flow of ideas. He gains enormous satisfaction from seeing them thrilled with a completed project.

A Liverpool fan, Dean also enjoys music, playing bass guitar, photography, watercolour painting and film.

Kim Allen – Designer

Kim joined Palladian Press early in 2006 after spending 14 years in the advertising industry. New to pre-press, Kim had a steep learning curve but enjoyed every minute of it. Kim likes the diversity of her role, and she shares her time between one major client and other, smaller projects. Kim has been struck by the commitment to service and quality that is Palladian’s hallmark.

Like her brother, Dean, Kim is a keen film buff. She also loves reading about the supernatural, playing badminton and swimming. She also adores animals, and would have a houseful if she could.

Michael Greenwood – Designer

With almost 20 years' experience in print, Michael is involved in every aspect of design. He is very aware of how the print industry is evolving, and keeps abreast of developments that affect him on a day-to-day basis. As deadlines get shorter, Michael believes that pushing out the boundaries of what's possible, nurturing relationships and finding new ways to tackle problems are the only ways to deliver the service customers want.

Michael’s a keen guitarist, mountain biker, drag racer and loves family barbeques and having water fights with his son!

Natalie Griggs – Designer

Natalie went straight into the print industry after completing her A-levels in 2003, joining local firm Masterprint as a designer. When Masterprint merged with Palladian in 2007, Natalie continued to look after her original clients as well as building up a portfolio of work with new customers. She particularly enjoys direct contact with her clients and makes excellent customer service her number one priority.

The hallmark of a good designer is a keen eye for composition, shape and detail, and Natalie won’t even go for a night out with her friends unless she has her camera with her. She also enjoys swimming, working out, film, music and helping out her local sports club by producing advertising for its events.

Rick Smith – Print Room Supervisor

Rick’s week is divided between the time he spends running the Heidelberg CD 74 press, and the work he does to help Operations Director Mark Raven keep the machine room running smoothly. So if he’s not busy printing customers’ jobs, he’s solving technical problems, making sure stock levels are properly maintained or supervising activity on the busy shop floor. He likes the variety his job throws at him, and is proud that Palladian has a highly skilled team, excellent training opportunities and the very best machinery available.

Rick’s main hobby is motorsport, and he’s particularly interested in Superbikes and MotoGP. He also enjoys DIY, gardening and playing games on his Xbox.

Steve Sargent – Plate-maker and Quality Control

Steve joined Palladian in 2001 and now has over 30 years’ experience of lithographic plate making. The most important part of his job is checking the plates for content colour and pagination, making sure he spots those rare errors before they are committed to paper. It’s an approach that ensures customer satisfaction is always high and also helps to maintain excellent morale across the whole team.

Steve’s interests include gardening, playing the guitar, DIY and spending quality time with his family.

Steve Barton – Press Minder

Steve runs Palladian’s Heidelberg CD74 5-colour printing press. He’s responsible for setting it up for each job and making sure the finished product is of the highest possible quality. He particularly enjoys bringing designers’ work to life, and knows that it’s his attention to detail that helps the customer achieve the result they had hoped for.

Much of Steve’s spare time is spent renovating the Suffolk cottage he shares with his partner, Joanna, but he’s also a keen golfer and carp angler.
 

Tony Dennis – Press Minder

Operating four- and five-colour Speedmasters, as well as single colour GTO machines, Tony has 33 years' experience in print. He’s been with Palladian Press since the outset, and is always ready to help explain the print process to visiting customers. Quality is a top priority for Tony, who sums up the company's commitment to high standards by simply saying: “No ifs, no buts!”

Tony is also a keen gardener, sports fan and DIY enthusiast who loves spending time with his grandchildren.

John Donnelly – Press Minder

John works the two-colour Heidelberg press, which he uses to produce smaller-scale work like business cards, promotional leaflets, carbonless sets and more. What he particularly likes is the challenge of producing a variety of products, all to the most exacting standards.

When John has a bit of free time he likes to use it to the full. He enjoys food, travel, painting, writing, landscape gardening, motorbikes, boats and sea fishing. He’d also like to get involved in conservation work and help out those who are struggling in deprived areas.

Darron Hart – Press Minder

Darron has been in the print industry for 15 years and, when he joined Palladian as a Number 1 5-colour press minder, he was instantly impressed by the professionalism of the company, the excellence of its equipment, and the painstaking way in which jobs are handled from start to finish. He particularly likes the fact that he has all the right tools and information he needs to achieve the high standards our customers expect – bang on time, every time.

When he’s not at work, Darron likes to keep active. He plays football and enjoys cycling and swimming. He also watches most sports, especially if the England team is playing, and loves spending quality time with his young son.

Nick West – Press Minder

Nick works night shifts as a Number 1 5-colour press minder. He’s not only responsible for making sure it runs smoothly, but also for ensuring that jobs are produced to the highest possible standards of quality. After 20 years in the print industry, Nick knows that the three things that make Palladian stand out are quality, customer care and state-of-the-art equipment. As he says, “It’s a pleasure to work for a company that operates in this way.”

In his free time, Nick is a keen footballer who also enjoys many other sports. He also likes online gaming, walking his dogs and socialising with friends.

Kieran Morton – Press Assistant

Kieran is a Number 2 assistant who helps to operate Palladian’s state-of-the-art Heidelberg CD 74 five-colour press. He enjoys working as part of a team and likes the company’s excellent morale. When it comes to explaining Palladian’s success, he points to its culture of service, quality and innovation – all of which ensure that customers’ jobs are completed to the highest standard.

In his free time, Kieran can often be found at the cinema, behind a karaoke machine or making DIY improvements to his home. He also enjoys sport and socialising.

Troy Murray – Press Assistant

Troy is a Number 2 5-colour press minder and is also responsible for making sure the pressroom is kept tidy. He likes working with Palladian’s state-of-the-art equipment and enjoys the challenges of his job. He’s always looking for ways to improve his skills, and particularly appreciates the in-house training he receives. What impresses him most is the way Palladian staff will climb mountains to achieve the best quality work for their clients.

An active person, Troy enjoys cycling, badminton and many other sports. He also likes to try different foods, spend nights out with his friends and fine-tune his expertise on the dance floor.

Paul Neill – Bindery Manager

Paul manages the staff and production in Palladian’s busy bindery. With over 15 years' experience at the firm, he has played an important role in developing the company’s trademark insistence on quality. Paul uses daily production schedules to plan workloads and manages all incoming stock and despatches. He describes the most important aspect of his job as making sure the customer is satisfied, no matter what it takes.

When he’s got some free time, Paul loves mountain biking and training his Dalmation dog. He also enjoys gardening, entertaining and socialising with friends.

David Ball – Bindery Operative

David Ball joined Palladian Press just over three years ago, bringing to the company some 45 years’ experience in lithographic and letterpress printing, hand bookbinding and print finishing. His job now involves cutting, die cutting, folding, laminating and operating the collating machine. He particularly enjoys working on a variety of jobs and believes that producing the best possible work for customers ensures they come back time and time again.

When he’s not at work, David main hobbies are fishing, bird-keeping and indoor bowls.

Andrew Bennett – Bindery Operative

Andrew is devoted to high-quality print and is skilled in all aspects of finishing including cutting, folding, dye-cutting, stitching and laminating. Working a system of shifts, the bindery is normally manned from early morning to late in the evening; but as Andrew says: "we'll come in at one in the morning if that's what it takes to get the job done. We always react to our customers' needs."

Andrew’s hobbies include digital photography, architecture, walking, reading, football and computing.

Lee Mann – Bindery Operative

Lee joined Palladian Press early in 2006, but has been working in the print industry since he left school. With experience of competitors' quality processes, he knows for a fact that that Palladian is the most professional firm he's encountered. He loves his job, particularly because he knows he can deliver a top-class product to the customer. As he says: "In print finishing we're the last to see the order before it arrives with the customer, so we have to make sure it's absolutely right."

Another football fan, Lee also enjoys socialising with friends, cinema and music.

Stephen Warren – Bindery Operative

Stephen has spent his entire working life in the print industry and has experience in many different areas on the factory floor. Now a print finisher in Palladian’s bindery, he particularly appreciates the pleasant and friendly atmosphere that inspires him to put the maximum amount of pride and effort into his work.

Stephen counts badminton, squash, reading and DIY amongst his many hobbies and interests.

Nicola Bateman – Bindery Assistant

Nicky has worked in the printing industry since she was 18, joining the Palladian team in September 2007 to help with bench work and mailing. Sometimes, when the drivers are on holiday, she’ll deliver finished jobs in one of the vans and get to meet the customers. She loves being able to put faces to the names she’s familiar with.

Most of Nicky’s spare time is spent with her friends and their babies, though she also enjoys going to the gym, taking part in Pilates classes and internet shopping.

Malgorzata Orzechowska – Bindery Assistant

Malgorzata arrived in the UK from Poland in 2006 and soon landed a position with Palladian Press as a bindery assistant. It was her first ever job in the printing industry, but she is now expert at hand producing folders, packing finished jobs and much more. She works as hard as she can to ensure that her work is of the highest standard.

When she can, Malgorzata enjoys swimming, pubs and meeting up with friends. She also adores music, film, reading and cooking.

Lesley Patterson – Bindery Assistant

Lesley has worked in Palladian’s bindery for five years, and it’s her job to put the finishing touches to clients’ orders. Her aim is to make sure that each and every item is completed to the highest possible standard, and she likes the teamwork that goes into making this happen. A happy customer is what gives her the greatest satisfaction.

When she’s not at work, Lesley loves taking her granddaughter out, planning her holidays and settling down with a good book.

Cary Frost – Stock Control Manager

Cary is responsible for the stock within our warehouses and factory, making sure that material is sent to the presses at the right time and in the correct quantities. He takes care of finished jobs that need to be sent to customers, and he performs regular stock audits. He likes working in a team of dedicated professionals as "it's the pleasure of doing a job that inspires me to finish it to perfection."

In his rare leisure moments, Cary's greatest passion is freshwater fishing. He is also keen on DIY and gardening and also takes part in a huge range of activities with his sons: football, ten-pin bowling, swimming and tobogganing on the local dry ski slope.

Andrea Strumpf – Stock Assistant

Andrea helps to make sure that our stock control processes run smoothly, and that paper is issued to the presses exactly when it is needed. A stickler for good organisation, she finds her work both interesting and enjoyable. She also loves the atmosphere at Palladian and likes the people she works with.

In her spare time, Andrea enjoys swimming, running and horse riding. She’s also a keen reader with a particular interest in romance and history, as well as an accomplished cook who specialises in the cuisine of her native Hungary.

Ian West – Driver

As a Palladian Press driver, Ian meets our customers every day as he collects artwork or delivers finished print jobs. He particularly enjoys being part of a friendly and enthusiastic team, working for a growing company and getting to know new clients.

A sports fan, Ian is a passionate West Ham supporter. He also enjoys reading and travelling within the UK, especially in Scotland.

Barry Smith – Driver

Barry can probably claim to see more customers than anyone else in the organisation! Responsible for deliveries, he travels as far afield as Newcastle, Liverpool and Wales. Barry enjoys meeting customers when he transports proofs and print products, or drops by to collect artwork.

When he’s not on the road, Barry devotes time to vegetable gardening, motorcycling, home brewing and DIY.

David Webb – Driver

David is responsible for delivering proofs and completed work to Palladian’s clients. A keen driver, he particularly enjoys meeting customers and likes the fact that he can rely on the support of helpful and friendly colleagues.

In his spare time, David enjoys walking, cricket, reading about crime and sport, vegetable gardening and DIY.