Label industry guru honored

At a reception and ceremony held at the historic Stationers’ Hall in London on the 7th November, Mike Fairley, director of strategic development for the labels group at Tarsus, was admitted as a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers, receiving a Freedom certificate and history of the Company from the master, R Patrick F Shorten.

Founded in 1403 and incorporated by Royal Charter in 1557, over the years the Stationers’ Company has played a large part in the development of printing and publishing. Today, it maintains a liaison with 22 trade associations linked to the Company, supports the pursuit of excellence in the development of individuals in the printing and related industries – including offering education and training awards and scholarships – provides a Benevolent Fund, plays a full role in the government and life of the City of London and preserves the Company’s heritage.

Mr Fairley has played an active role in the education, training and development of the printing, packaging, paper and label industries for over 30 years, with senior positions in industry, research and industrial training, as a further education lecturer and in information and communications. He founded Labels & Labeling magazine in 1978, followed during the 1980s and 1990s by the launch of magazines for the business forms, package printing, and product and image security sectors. He is also well-known globally as a conference speaker on label and related topics.

In addition, he has been a major contributor to, or author of, some 10 books on printing or label related topics, including the Encyclopedia of Labels and Label Technology and the Encylopedia of Packaging Technology and is a Fellow of the Institute of Printing, a Fellow of the Institute of Packaging and a Licentiate of the City and Guilds of London Institute.

He is now eligible to apply for the Freedom of the City of London.