The Visual Media Association (VMA) has announced the resignation of board president, Matt Aitken, at its recent July board meeting, with the association also electing new board offices and office bearers.

Aitken has been president of the VMA for two years following significant industry board director roles with his initial appointment to the former Print & Visual Communication Association (PVCA) in 2016, the treasurer, deputy chair, then chair office bearer positions on the Australasian Catalogue Association (ACA), and chair of The Real Media Collective.

“Having given over eight years of service to the industry, as well as supporting two major mergers initially with ACA and TRMC, then TRMC and VMA, I feel now is the right time to step down and for the board, and the association, to enter its next lifecycle evolution,” said Matt Aitken, president, VMA and group CEO, IVE Group.

It is believed the board has been considering with notice for several months and has been working in preparation to handover and business continuity strategies with the new office bearer elections now complete.

Kevin Pidgeon, Lithocraft, and former deputy president, has been elected president with Stuart Fysh, The Label Factory, elected to deputy president from his secretary role held for four years, and Kirsty Woodhead, Breen Printing, has been elected secretary with Rodney Frost, retaining his role as treasurer. Simon Bailey, IVE Group, GM – NSW, was elected last week to fill the casual vacancy and will join the team.

Aitken has overseen significant evolution across his leadership of all industry associations he has been involved with, including, but not limited to merging several  organisations to form a single strong peak industry body under the VMA. Building board diversity and skillset unmatched in previous history, and current practice, across the  industry was another significant achievement. Double digit year on year membership  growth, engagement and stability, of TRMC through COVID was also credited to Aitken.

“The recent TRMC and PVCA merger into the VMA is absolutely the best way forward, the united board has a common dedication to how one industry body is the best for all of industry,” said Aitken

“I want to thank each and every board officer for their support and I know I  leave the organisation in very safe hands in the leadership of Kevin Pidgeon. I also want to thank Kellie, over much of my industry board roles, she has held the executive position and always worked with dedicated passion to the members and industry,  pushing every opportunity and I believe will continue to deliver for the industry with the association is in a much stronger place.”

Pidgeon is no stranger to industry, working across many roles in the industry for some 60 years and within industry associations for 20 years.

“I thank Matt for all his years of service and appreciate his significant contributions whilst also having a very large role across the IVE business. I thank my fellow board offices for their support in electing me as President and look working for the industry across the association’s new programs and commitment to the industry,” said Pidgeon.

The association is holding its annual general meeting on 31 July, and it is believed a solid financial performance over the past 12 months with programs being rolled out across the country delivering results in new member growth.

“My final comments are, thank you to all I have worked with in the industry roles, I will remain a strong supporter and assist where I can. I continue to support a single industry association for our industry and urge any companies not members to contact the team and get involved, we can achieve so much more together with a united stronger  approach,” said Aitken.

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