HRH The Duke of York, KG, in his role as The Printing Charity’s President for 2015, attended the charity’s 188th Annual Luncheon at Stationers’ Hall, London on 5 November.
The Duke of York said it had been an honour to be The Printing Charity’s President for 2015 and congratulated the charity on what it has done and continues to do to help people in difficulty, as well as young people coming into the printing industry to develop the skills they need.
Speaking at the event, The Duke of York said: “Printing is part of life, but it requires skills. Thank you to everyone here today for the work you do to raise the printing industry’s profile and encourage young people to become skilled.”
The Printing Charity’s Chairman, Jon Wright, announced that in 2015, the year the charity is marking the 150th anniversary of the granting of its first Royal Charter by Queen Victoria, it will help over 1,000 people. He outlined how the charity will achieve this through its financial grants programme, its two sheltered homes, initiatives such as the Print Futures Awards, and partnerships with other charities and organisations.
Jon Wright said: “Our work is also focused on apprenticeships. This includes helping to fund a teacher’s resource pack promoting apprenticeships to 15-18 year olds. In 2016, as part of the print industry led apprenticeship trailblazer, the charity will be assisting apprentices with costs associated with their study.”
At the event, The Duke of York presented Lord Black of Brentwood, Executive Director of the Telegraph Media Group and the charity’s Vice President, with a President Emeritus Award for his work on the charity’s behalf.