PIAA president David Leach has sensationally resigned his position, following a series of abusive calls and emails in the wake of the crisis engulfing the peak industry association.
Leach has been dealing with some increasingly irate members who have been questioning the actions of the Association during the tumultuous reign of CEO Jason Allen, who himself suddenly resigned just before Christmas after just six months at the helm.
Leach told ProPrint, "Things have deteriorated in the last few weeks, people were personally attacking me, in email, on the phone. I have never done that to anyone, and I don't need it.
"This comes as a very difficult decision for me, but I think the best thing for the Association is for me to move over and make room for someone else.
"I think the entire board has done an amazing job, the industry is going through significant change."
Leach became president of the PIAA almost exactly two years ago, succeeding Susan Heaney, who resigned from the Board in December, with no reason given. He came in with a vision for the future. His business, Look Print, is recognised as one of the most progressive and innovative print company's in the country. Indeed in 2014 he was voted number one in the ProPrint Power 50 Influencers and Innovators poll.
Leach's resignation will add to the sense of crisis that is engulfing the PIAA, and that has coincided with Jason Allen's time as CEO. With no president and a CEO due to leave on April 1 the Association will need to communicate clearly with its members.
There has been an exodus of senior staff since Allen’s arrival. Peter Mansfield, general manager South Australia, and Paul Nieuwhof, general manager Western Australia both left, as did Jenny Berry, membership services for Victoria & Tasmania who went in September. Long term PIAA communications director Joe Kowaleski was dismissed in October, and the association’s finance controller quit in November.
In December the association’s only female board member, and its former president, Susan Heaney resigned her role suddenly – leaving the PIAA board as male only.
The PIAA national offices in Auburn were sold off, with the PIAA making a $1m profit on the building they bought 12 years ago, selling it for $3.45m. They are now paying for an office suite that was marketed at $226,000 a year rent in Chatswood.
Allen also got into a major and public stoush with long term member James Cryer over several important heritage items during the move from Auburn to Chatswood.
The board now comprises leaders from five of the top printers in the country: Peter Lane from Lane Print Group, Chris Segaert from Permanent Press, Stephen Edwards of Snap Franchising, Graham Jamieson of Picton Press, and Craig Pearce from Flying Colours, as well as Ross Black from paper supplier BJ Ball, and Kieran May from business consultants Accross Business
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