Ross Black is the new president of the PIAA, with the BJ Ball man stepping up from his deputy president role to succeed former president David Leach, who sensationally resigned last week.
Kieran May has taken over Black’s previous deputy-president post and Craig Pierce has been appointed as honorary secretary.
At the same time Board member Stephen Edwards has resigned effective immediately, the Snap CEO joining Leach and Susan Heaney as Board members who all have resigned in the past two tumultuous months.
Black says the PIAA is implementing a ‘considered strategy’ to deal with the Board staff turnover and respond to member concerns. “The board acknowledges that previous communication and information has sometimes been siloed in its delivery”, he says.
Notwithstanding the upheavals on the Board the PIAA says its plans to fill vacant all positions including the CEO Jason Allen who himself resigned just before Christmas are well underway, and will not be delayed while new Board directors are chosen. Allen is due to vacate his desk on April 1.
The Association says it has immediate plans to replace the three casual board positions left open in the recent boardroom turnover.
[Related: Industry response to PIAA crisis]
Black says, “While losing directors with the skill, experience and foresight of Susan Heaney, David Leach and Stephen Edwards leaves a big hole, we are confident the new leadership structure will drive our vision to provide high quality and high value services to our existing and future members.”
“We have identified candidates who will bring the right skills to the Board and complement the skill set of the existing Board members. However, more needs to be done to propel women into the boardroom, and the Board of PIAA is committed to supporting the talented women in print.
“There are concerns within the membership. Our obligation is to make a strong appointment rather than to simply move quickly.”
Black also addressed the sudden departures of Susan Heaney, David Leach and Stephen Edwards, and says the board will take careful consideration to make a ‘strong appointment’ for the new CEO.
He says, “Our aim is to have a high performing team in place for the incoming CEO so the transition is smooth and the new CEO can continue the great work that Mr Allen has started. The recruitment process is well underway and we are compiling an excellent list of candidates.”
Following the loss of the board’s only female-member Heaney, Black says the association plans to encourage more female participation within the PIAA.
“More needs to be done to propel women into the boardroom, and the Board of PIAA is committed to supporting the talented women in print,” he says.
Edwards says he is leaving the Board to devote his time to his role at the 162 store franchise group Snap Printing.
“Unfortunately I have come to a point where I can no longer give the time to competing priorities, and am stepping down to allow another devoted printing member the chance to be involved,” says Edwards.
CEO Jason Allen, who is serving his position in limbo after also resigning last month, says the PIAA is determined to engage with members following industry criticism about the association’s commitment.
“We would also like to take this opportunity to announce an imminent engagement plan with members to capitalise on the planned roadshows in every state, to elaborate on the future plans and commit to ensuring it is executed,” says Allen.
Black says, “While communication and information has been released in regular bulletins, for some members this may not have come under notice and the 2016 objective for the Board is to ensure we explore all types of communication channels; and the 2016 roadshow is certainly the opportunity to have direct dialogue with all of our members.”
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