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7th May 2008
2008 Medal Awarded to John Clewley
John Clewley
Click on image for brief biography
The 2008 Paper Industry Gold Medal, the paper industry's highest honour has been awarded to John Clewley for his comprehensive dedication and commitment to the UK paper industry.
During the industry's record retrenchment, consolidation and inward investment he has worked selflessly to maintain a significant UK base for paper technology, fundamental research and recognition of the industry's heritage - all vitally important for a potential upsurge in UK paper production in response to society's increased demand for recycled papers and a smaller 'carbon footprint'.
His tangible legacy is an independent and functioning Paper Industry Technical Association (PITA) poised to take advantage of new opportunities.
John has spent the whole of his working life in the paper industry starting as a graduate of UMIST. His career focus was on technical issues where he became an authority on recycling and de-inking, in particular with regard to the manufacture of newsprint.
Later he became full time director of PITA, helping to demerge it from PIRA International and build an independent association of technical professionals.
Commenting on the award Peter Ingram, Chairman
of the Paper Industry Gold Medal Association noted
"Where John really stands out among his contemporaries, is his steadfast commitment
to the British paper industry at a time when employment in the industry has
been in sharp decline and ownership (together with technical expertise) has
increasingly been transferred abroad.
John received his Gold Medal at the Charter
Dinner of the Stationers' Company in
Stationers' Hall on 7th May 2008.
John Clewley - Brief Biography
Since graduating in Paper Science from UMIST in 1965 John Clewley has had a wide and varied career in the paper industry, working in several different countries.
After learning his trade on the machine floor of fine paper mills as an Inveresk trainee he worked for many years for Bowaters and during his time as Manager of Bowater Technical Services became heavily involved in the development of recycling technology and in particular de-inking.
After a spell in the USA John returned to the UK and eventually became part of the team, as Technical Manager, that developed the Bridgewater Paper Mill with its advanced de-inking plants, proving amongst other achievements that quality newsprint could be produced from 100% recycled fibre.
Some years later as Technical Director of North British Newsprint he was largely responsible for developing that project from a conceptual idea to a 'ready to go' fully scoped project.
John then spent two years working for the leading forest products consultant, Jaakko Pöyry being involved amongst other things in the development of several large de-inking projects before taking up the position of Executive Director (later Chief Executive) of PITA, the Paper Industry Technical Association.
John recently retired from that position after 14 years during which time he worked with and developed relationships with other bodies involved in all aspects of the paper industry both in the UK and outside. John plans to spend much of his retirement travelling, in between continuing to support various voluntary bodies connected with the industry plus organising events on behalf of such groups.
6th October 2007
Gold Medal Association launches search
for
2008's Gold Medallist
The Committee of the Paper Industry Gold Medal Association has today launched its search for a suitable candidate for the 2008 Award.
Details are contained in a leaflet which will be mailed to nominating Associations in the Paper Industry and which can also be downloaded in PDF format by clicking on the image below.
Nominations should be submitted to the Association's administrator at the address in the panel on the left.
16th April 2007
2007 Medal Awarded to Stephen Mason
The 2007 Paper Industry Gold Medal, the paper industry's highest honour, has been awarded to Stephen Mason for his inspiring contribution to the British paper trade. He is an outstanding role model and ambassador for the paper trade and industry. His exceptional attributes, demonstrated throughout his career, are leadership and people management.
Both of Stephen Mason's main employers, Robert Horne Group and trade body, The National Association of Paper Merchants (NAPM), gained from his skill and experience.
In his 35 years with Robert Horne he climbed the career ladder from Salesman to Chairman via Branch Manager, Group Sales Director, Group Sales & Marketing Director and Managing Director. He finally became Regional President and Chairman of Buhrmann Group's merchant division, overseeing sales of over one million tonnes a year.
It was whilst Managing Director of Robert Horne Group that Stephen Mason took personal charge of introducing a comprehensive Management Development Programme. This programme attracted excellent young talent, both graduates and internal trainees, and developed them into outstanding and highly capable people. It is his strongly held belief that this is the way forward for the whole trade in order to meet with the up and coming complexities of the business.
Subsequently, Stephen Mason co-founded Development Matters, a specialist training and management development company, which includes a large number of paper merchant companies as well as multi-nationals, government departments and even professional football clubs in its client list.
Throughout his time in the industry, Stephen Mason played a full and active role in industry affairs by serving on many trade bodies and committees. Most significantly he was elected to the NAPM's Policy Group in 1992 and was President from 1999 to 2001. As President he was instrumental in instigating and pushing through much needed changes to the way in which the NAPM was run. The association now meets the requirements of the 21st century, placing the recruitment and development of talented people into the industry to the fore.
The Award Committee
of the Association was chaired by Mr G R Neville Cusworth,
Master of the Stationers' Company,
who also presented the medal at the Annual Dinner of the
National Association of Paper Merchants
on the 19th April 2007
2006
Medal Presented by
The Rt Hon William Hague MP
The 2006 Gold Medal was presented on the 9th May 2006 to David Klemz at the Charter Dinner of the Stationers' Company by The Rt Hon William Hague MP.
In his acceptance speech Mr Klemz acknowledged the honour and praised those who had worked with him over the years and contributed to his achievements.
He is
seen above with John Brazier, Chief Executive of PICON,
Patrick Shorten, Master of the Stationers' Company and William Hague after the
presentation.
Follow links for Full Citation and Biography
Award
Committee Announces
2006 Winner
Click Image to go to Full Citation
28th March 2006
The
2006 Paper Industry Gold Medal Award Committee, chaired by
Patrick Shorten, Master of the Stationers' Company awarded this year's
Gold Medal to David Klemz of Compact Engineering.
His citation reads 'He stands out as an exemplar to present and future generations of industry entrepreneurs. Through his innovation, enterprise, hard work and a passion for industry, David Klemz provides the perfect demonstration of how British paper industry engineering can succeed in very challenging circumstances.'
Commenting on the award, Patrick Shorten noted 'David Klemz won the award against a strong list of nominations. The deciding factor was his selfless support for the entire industry at the same time as displaying exceptional innovation and enterprise from his small family owned company base. In the 30 years of the Paper Industry Gold Medal, the award has never gone to a winner from a smaller company.'
Peter Ingram, chairman of the Paper Industry Gold Medal Association explains why the trend has changed. 'David is a man of our times. His contribution, through a micro business, to science and technology, exports, energy conservation and his trade associations is outstanding. Put simply, a country made up of people like David Klemz would be a world beater.'
David Klemz will receive his Paper Industry Gold Medal from the principal guest at the Stationers' Company's Charter Dinner at Stationers' Hall on Tuesday, 9th May 2006.
Follow links for Full Citation and Biography
15th July 2005
It is with regret that we record the death of Medallist Peter Gardner CBE MC TD on Saturday 9th July 2005 at the age of 87.
13th May 2005
2005
Medal presented to
Kevin Lyden
by Lord Heseltine at Stationers' Hall
"People
with foresight, a real understanding of the industry
and, above all,
a passion for their subject."
From time to time there are a few outstanding people who work to further the interests of their industry, over and above their duties to any individual company. The Paper Industry, like any other, owes its success to the commitment, effort and skill of these ambassadors and for over thirty years has sought to reward this commiment in the form of a prestigious annual award
The Paper Industry Gold Medal
Since its inception in in the late 1960s, the Medal has been awarded to the person considered to have done most to further the interests of the paper and allied industries in the UK.
The Gold Medal was established in 1966 by "The World's Paper Trade Review" magazine which was published by Benn Brothers and edited by Eric Haylock (himself the winner of the Medal in 1986). The magazine later became known as "Paper" and the publishers continued to sponsor it until 1993.
It is now administered by the Paper Indusry Gold Medal Asssociation whose membership comprises all holders of the Medal together with representative members from a number of the industry's Trade Associations.
Nominations are sought annually in the Autumn and the award is made early the following year. The Medal is presented at an appropriate Industry function during the year.
The 2006 Medal
The 2006 Medal was presented at the Charter Dinner of the Stationers' Company in Stationers' Hall, London on Thursday the 9th May 2006. Full details HERE
A list of Previous Winners is available HERE in PDF format
The Constitution of the Association is available HERE in PDF format
©Paper Industry Gold Medal Association 2005/6/7