The printing industry is left reeling following the shock resignation of PIAA president David Leach, only days after penning a letter to members outlining his plans to turn around the association.
Leach told ProPrint the decision to resign was motivated by a number of personal attacks via email and phone from irate members who are unhappy with the association’s actions during Jason Allen’s six month reign as CEO.
Allen was appointed by the Leach-led Board, and was seen as Leach’s choice.
ProPrint contacted several PIAA board members for comment, including Peter Lane from Lane Print Group, Chris Segaert from Permanent Press and Craig Pearce from Flying Colours, who were all unwilling to comment on the surprising resignations.
However the Board members say the plans to appoint a new PIAA CEO following Allen’s resignation will go ahead on schedule.
Some industry members have voiced support for Leach in the wake of this abuse, including Blue Star Group chief executive Matt Aitken, who says, “it is extremely disappointing to see he has resigned under these circumstances and that people have resorted to threats and abuse.”
Aitken describes much of the changes made under Leach’s two year presidency as ‘progressive’ and agrees with the letter response sent out to members.
[Related: PIAA criticism]
Flying Colours owner Graham Walton says his business has been a member of the PIAA for a number of years, however only reaped any member benefits under Leach’s leadership.
“We took up membership years ago and only in the last nine months have we had any real contact with the association,” says Walton.
“The PIAA helped us with an unfair dismissal issue and gave free legal guidance, and in defence of David Leach, we have received more calls in the last few months than in the entire duration of our membership.”
Walton says the value for money in becoming a PIAA member is not always evident, and hopes the association will stay true to Leach’s promises of more communication and will provide more help to members than simply ‘rubbish surveys’ and staggered email correspondence.
Industry member Impress Print’s owner Terry Ward says his business, like many other smaller printers, has little to do with the PIAA despite being members and ‘isn’t bothered’ with the severe staff turnover and association crisis.
Other printers have been less than pleased with the PIAA’s involvement in the industry, and are calling on the association to focus efforts on building rapport with longstanding members.
ProPrint also contacted Eastern Studios Graphics director Roy Aldrich, who has been unsuccessful in running for a place on the PIAA board, and was involved in a bitter dispute with Leach during that election.
According to Aldrich, many people believe Leach stepping down is a good idea, but he was unwilling to comment further on the matter.
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