Short-lived PIAA CEO Jason Allen has prematurely left his post, effectively satisfying the top demand from the Members Action Group. Former Waratahs CEO Allen was appointed last June to implement a new direction for the PIAA. His tenure can only be described as disastrous, with some of the association’s members furious over the actions he has taken. Those decisions have led to multiple staff departures, the sale of the national headquarters, the resignations of three of the nine person Board, and have culminated in a bitterly divided Association. After a series of contentious decisions compounded with poor communication Allen sensationally resigned just six months after he was appointed. The reason given for his resignation was to relocate to the UK to support his wife. April 1 was set to be his final day.
Departed: Jason Allen has left the building
However the Printing Industries Members Action Group – formed in the wake of multiple board resignations and members upset over various decisions – demanded he leave immediately, a demand that has now been met, although it is unclear if Allen jumped or was pushed. New PIAA president Ross Black confirmed Allen has physically left the PIAA building, is taking leave due, and will not return. Former CEO Bill Healey who has been working on special projects will return as interim CEO until a new appointment is made. Allen has faced mounting pressure from irate members from around the country who banded together as the Member’s Action Group, and called for his immediate sacking in a demand letter sent to the PIAA Board only two weeks ago, along with a host of other demands. The Action Group’s unofficial spokesperson, Tom Eckersley from Print Apporach, told Australian Printer “At this stage I have no opinion, he has resigned and moved on. It is pretty straightforward business.” Eckersley could not confirm if the news would impact the upcoming SGM, but says the Member’s Action Group are currently working through SGM-related matters. For some members Allen’s departure throws a question mark over the staff appointments made during his time at the top, which have reoriented the Association in a direction that those members are far from happy with. The outcome of next week’s SGM will have ongoing reverberations across the Association.
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