We’ve got a different Meet the Team this month. This one goes right to the core of how KNP started, how it’s grown and what KNP represents today, as we talk with our new KNP Joint Managing Director.
We’ve regularly talked about how much people and family matter to us. Whether that be giving opportunities to ‘young uns’, creating a KNP family or having family members working together and leading the business.
Our new Joint Managing Director Charlie Gibbons perfectly encapsulates all that. Charlie is the son of owner & Managing Director, Dave Gibbons, who set up KNP 19 years ago. Charlie’s move into the role of Joint MD follows a careful path learning the ropes, understanding every aspect of the business and living and breathing the industry. It perfectly highlights the KNP family philosophy and embodies the sheer love for print that shines brighter than ever today.
When Charlie was about to embark on his working life he had every intention to become a fitness instructor. It was dad Dave who said “give me 6 months”. Now, 15 years later at the age of 30, and 9 months into the role as Joint MD, Charlie is head of a multi-million pound turnover company.
We wanted to talk to him about that journey, and where the future will take KNP. Guess what, he said “OK, let’s do it”. So shall we crack on? Find out some more about the man shaping the business? Lets.
First of all, thanks for your time today, Charlie. Let’s open with a nice easy loosener for you.
Q: So, as you wanted to be a Fitness Instructor, why did you stay in print after that first 6 months?
The funny thing is, I definitely went in not expecting to love it. I was set on something else entirely. The first 6 months though, I saw what the business actually involved, what my dad was building, and really enjoyed the environment and the people I was working with. It really was a team. Always being competitive and in a fast-paced sports background, KNP matched that, so I think I found similarities which I enjoyed.
Q: What is it about print that’s kept you here?
It’s a proper trade. There’s lots of skill involved and believe me, you can’t fully appreciate the knowledge the people behind the scenes have. And I love that. I think it’s a huge part of what sucked me in and keeps me excited today. Trades are so vital to the economy. Being able to ‘make things’ is something we can’t afford to lose. Seeing it evolve keeps me motivated and always wanting to push on.
Q: What challenges have you encountered along the way?
To be honest it was mainly when I started. And being taken seriously as “the boss’s son”. As you can imagine, you have to work twice as hard as everyone else to earn the respect off people. And that’s fair enough. I’m in a job, whatever it is, whichever department it is. I have to earn the right to do that job and keep that job. Let’s not forget our customers as well. When they place a job with us they still expect the best possible outcome and the highest possible quality. It doesn’t matter to them if it’s the boss’s son working the press or handling the finishing. So I understand.
Q: What’s changed since you first started?
How much I understand about the business. When I started, you only see the day to day, the jobs put in front of you and the deadlines. I didn’t need to think bigger. I had my tasks and I focused on getting them done. As time’s passed and I’ve moved through the business, now I see the other side of the coin and how it all connects together. I’ve become much more aware of how integrated everything is now, how much technology has improved process and quality, how sustainability is critical, something we were early adopters of if I can say so. The evolution of print into a more streamlined, technologically advanced, sustainable process has been massive. It’s not something I think I could have foreseen when I first joined.
Q: What’s changed since you became Joint MD
The responsibility is the main change. No question there. And to be honest I’m loving it. People now look to me for direction, decisions, solutions. It’s a real motivator. Decisions that used to land on someone else’s desk now land on mine. I feel that sense of responsibility, and it drives me on. The way you think and look at certain scenarios is totally different. I’ve quickly learned how to think more broadly. How to see how a decision here can have an impact somewhere else.
But the biggest change within all of that is my focus on our customers. Whilst before my focus might have been on delivering the best job or the best process, they were just separate parts of the bigger picture. Now it’s the whole, if that makes sense.
Q: Where do you want to take KNP
I want to keep the values that make KNP, KNP. There’s something very special about this place. The quality, the relationships, the family feel, it all needs to stay aligned. Then I want to get us set up for the long term, not just the short term. So that means constantly looking ahead, making sure I know what’s happening in the industry with tech, with processes, with changes in the kind of products our customers, and new customers want. We’ve always been at the forefront when it comes to tech. As I mentioned earlier, we were very early to see the importance of sustainability in print, and we were one of the first two printers in the country to install a Xerox Iridesse digital printing press.
But most of all, I’m going to take us where our customers need us. Because that’s what matters most. Since I became Joint MD I’ve introduced more streamlined processes that give our customers greater visibility and I’ve driven our move into our own pick ‘n’ pack, distribution and fulfilment site. As we evolve there’ll be plenty more strategic decisions based on meeting the needs of our customers.
Q: What’s it like working with your Dad?
An absolute nightmare. Don’t do it! No, I’m joking of course. It’s really good to be honest. I’ve always worked well with him, and that goes back to that family feel that matters to us. He still manages to try and wind me up on a day-to-day basis, but that’s just a bit of fun. I give just as much back.
He’s taught me pretty much everything I know about the business, so I owe him a lot. What’s changed lately is that it’s less him teaching me day to day, and more working out what tasks he’ll step back from and what I’ll take on.
Last question
Q: Any plans to bring your own son or daughter through the business and keep creating the legacy?
If that’s ever a path they wanted, I’d love that. Print’s not going away, it’s evolving. Which means we’re not going away, we’re evolving as we continue to grow. I’m sure I’ll do my best to persuade them to come on board as it’s the KNP way and great for the legacy to continue. But I don’t think they’ll need much persuading. I didn’t want to join my dad remember until I stepped through the door. Then it was an easy decision to stay. I love what we’re building.
Brilliant, that’s it. Thanks very much for your time, Charlie. We’re all well up for what lies in store.
The KNP team.
You can find out more about some of the other KNP team members by popping over to our About page. Or you can also check back through our blog for more in the Meet the Team series of chats. I promise you, it’s riveting stuff, riveting I tell you!
Stay safe and be lucky!
