PMP CEO Peter George is the ProPrint Power 50 winner, with voters recognising his outstanding achievement in turning around the print giant back into a profitable business.

Second place went to Ive executive chairman Geoff Selig, Wayne Sidwell from Wellcom took third, Michael Hannan from IPMG was fourth with PMA Global chief exec Phil Okill in fifth spot.

Accepting the award from his peers at the Power 50 event on Sydney harbour George professed his belief print had a powerful role in today's business environment and that of the future, but said that print 'needs to stop shooting itself in the foot'.

He paid tribute to his executives, and the blue collar staff, who he praised for working in the best interests of the company.

Since he took the helm at PMP three years ago George has implemented strong strategy designed to create a business fit for the current era, which has included dumping unprofitable work, focusing on core activity, significantly reducing staff levels, and retiring eight presses.

PMP is now almost debt free, is back in the black, and all the figures are trending in the right direction.

Wayne Robinson, editor of ProPrint says, "Congratulations to Peter George, a very well deserved accolade from his peers. To take a giant of the industry and fashion it to be compellingly relevant in a new era is no easy task, but that is what Peter George has achieved. We wish him every success in the future."

Geoff Selig took second place for his leadership of the Ive Group, with which he is diversifying from Blue Star into new non-print or print related sectors.

Wayne Sidwell won third spot for his drive to establish Wellcom as a global player, and for his unerring understanding of how to deliver what the customer wants in a way that makes sense.

Michael Hannan took fourth place, with industry voters also recognising his strategy and drive to create a diversified group, with print as just one of the activities.

Rounding out the top five was Phil Okill from PMA Global, on the back of his successful overseas expansion, which has seen $300m in contract wins from Latin America this year.

Check the entire list of the 2015 ProPrint Power 50 here.

Comment below to have your say on this story.

If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at editorial@sprinter.com.au.  

Sign up to the Sprinter newsletter