PIAA has appointed ex-chief executive of Waratahs Rugby, Jason Allen, as the new CEO of the association, replacing Bill Healey effective July 20. The association says it went through a rigorous selection process over a number of weeks in search of an experienced person with a track record of sustainable transformations. PIAA says the ideal candidate needed to be passionate about the industry and excited to work with the Board.
Healey hands over PIAA CEO position to Allen
“The ability to lead the Printing Industries through the implementation of the vision for the long term prosperity of the industry was a must,” PIAA board says. However, Jason Allen does not have any print industry experience. He was the CEO of Waratahs Rugby team for more than four years from November 2010 to March 2015. Previous to that role he was a non-executive director-chairman at Geepers, which creates the primary geo-physical address protocol in today’s digital world, for nearly a year and a half. Other notable positions include national general manger retail and consumer sales, which he held for nearly five years from March 2014 to October 2008, and state sales manager for Southcorp Wines from 2000 to 2004. Healey, who also did not have print industry background before joining PIAA, has welcomed the appointment of Allen as his successor saying his background will absolutely complement the board’s vision for the future of the association. He says, “Like all organisations the Printing Industries Association of Australia needs to constantly reinvent itself to remain relevant. “Jason has shown in his previous positions that he has the skills required to transform organisations. I am sure he will work with the board to implement a strategy to take advantage of the opportunities that have been identified, to ensure the ongoing success of the organisation.” David Leach, PIAA president, says: “The Printing Industries’ board and I are simply thrilled to have Jason on board as the incoming CEO. “We strongly believe that his talent, depth of experience and thirst for innovation will deliver positive outcomes for our members, and for the wider printing industry, throughout his tenure as CEO and beyond.” Allen will be accountable for the effective, financially viable management of the Printing Industries and setting of, implementation and measurement of the association’s future strategy. Healey will now show Allen the ropes of the print industry during the hand-over period giving the new CEO control of initiatives such as the $11.5m Future Print program, increasing research and industry transition projects, plus numerous negotiations with the government. Allen says he is looking forward to an exciting journey with a great team at the Printing Industries. “Building further on the success is a challenge I accept with confidence, determination and fierce ambition,” he says.
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