The Print Image Network team have landed back in the office, after attending the AEA conference 29th to 31st January, which was the first face to face conference for two years. The annual AEA conference provides an opportunity for delegates within the electoral sector to learn of the latest developments though a schedule of workshops, which are complimented by an exhibition of electoral product suppliers. Understandably, after a two-year break, this year’s conference proved to be extremely popular.
For Print Image Network, this was a good opportunity for us to catch up with our clients and contacts and we would like to thank all delegates who spent time at our stand. It’s always great to see so many familiar faces and meet new ones too!
Whilst delegates visited the exhibition area at breaktime, the hot topic this year was Poll Cards and Voter ID, and trepidation about the forthcoming changes in Postal Vote eligibility. And we were very flattered to be told by several stand visitors, that we have a fantastic reputation within the industry, and our people are held in very high esteem.
Competition Winner
We held our usual prize draw, this time offering a Thornton’s chocolate hamper. Congratulations to the lucky winner (we hope you enjoyed them)! Thanks to everyone who entered our prize draw.
We hope you all had a safe journey home. See you again next time.
For more information about our growing electoral administration print and mail service, please contact us, call on 0161 209 4800 or email sales@printimagenetwork.com.
Important legislative changes were introduced by The Elections Act 2022, with the introduction of several measures to cut down on the potential for voter fraud. With this, there is a new requirement for voters to show photographic identification at the polling station in Great Britain. This will apply for the first time in England at local elections Thursday 4th May 2023.
In addition to commonly used photographic identifications being accepted at polling stations, an electoral identity document will be available for electors to apply for, which is known as the Voter ID Card. This is to assist those groups of voters who will likely experience barriers in obtaining access to photo ID.
The Electoral Commission Voter ID public awareness campaign officially launched Monday 9th January, which includes a support pack, which has been issued to organisations working directly with voters, including local authorities and charities, can play an important role in supporting voters to ensure they have photo ID ahead of the elections. The pack contains various guides and resources, that can be printed and distributed or placed at sites and offices, including:
Print Image Network have resources and availability to print the printable resources contained in Voter ID partner packs, and we have artwork designs and multiple mailing options available for producing Voter ID cards. We have an expert team of account managers and print specialists to offer extra assistance if your election department is not fully staffed. Our production sites are primed and ready to print your important mailings, ahead of the 2023 elections.
For more information about our growing electoral administration print and mail service, please contact us, call on 0161 209 4800 or email sales@printimagenetwork.com.
Electoral Print & Mail Specialist, Print Image Network Ltd is delighted to announce that John Turner has joined its team of electoral professionals as its Electoral & Democracy Specialist.
A former Returning Officer, John brings with him a lifetime of electoral experience and has held several pivotal positions, including Chief Executive of the Association of Electoral Administrators, the UK’s leading professional body solely interested in the administration of electoral matters.
John Turner is a highly respected electoral professional and is well-known within the industry. During his career at the Association of Electoral Administrators, he has worked closely with Government Departments, the Electoral Commission, and other national bodies to improve the administration of electoral matters in the UK.
Before his appointment at the AEA in 2006, John held the position of Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Public and Support Services at Norwich City Council, where he was responsible for Democratic Services and the Elections Office, among other departments. He was also the Electoral Registration Officer and Returning Officer for the Council until March 2005.
Print Image Network is one of two influential electoral brands business owners John Foster and Stephen Power have established in the UK, since starting the business in 2000. The appointment illustrates their commitment to growing the business in both statutory and non-statutory markets, under the Print Image Network and UK Engage brands.
John Foster, Managing Director and Steve Power, Services Director gave a joint statement regarding the appointment, “We are delighted that John is bringing his years’ of experience to Print Image Network. John has been involved in electoral administration his entire career and is at the forefront of legislative matters. From his positions at the AEA and local authorities to his consultation, training and oversea electoral ventures, his experience in electoral matters and democracy makes him an excellent fit with our business.”
John Turner said “I am very pleased to be joining John and Steve and the team at Print Image Network and look forward to the new opportunities and challenges that this appointment will bring. I have joined a progressive company at a very exciting time and am already impressed by the ethos of customer service and support which underpins the way in which the organisation operates.”
Contact Print Image Network on:-
Print Image Network Ltd, a leading national supplier of electoral print and mail services to local authorities, has achieved Investors in People Silver, demonstrating its commitment to high performance through good people management.
Established in 2000, the North-West based company, prints and mails electoral stationery including postal votes, ballot papers, poll cards and electoral registration mailings. In 2017 alone, it produced 22 million pieces of electoral stationery.
Investors in People is the international standard for people management, defining what it takes to lead, support and manage people effectively to achieve sustainable results. Underpinning the Standard is the Investors in People framework, reflecting the latest workplace trends, essential skills and effective structures required to outperform in any industry.
Paul Devoy, Head of Investors in People, said: “We’d like to congratulate Print Image Network. Investors in People accreditation is the sign of a great employer, an outperforming place to work and a clear commitment to success. Print Image Network should be extremely proud of its achievement.”
Steve Burrows, Managing Director of Investors in People North of England delivered by IDG said:
“This is a fantastic achievement for Print Image Network and I would like to congratulate all of the team. We believe that your people make the difference and by investing in them you are looking to create sustainable success. IIP is designed to help organisations and their people to realise potential, providing a simple road map for excellence. With their Silver accreditation, Print Image Network is certainly working to realise their people potential.”
Commenting on the award, Services Director at Print Image, Steve Power said: “We are truly delighted to receive the news that Print Image Network has received Investors in People Silver. Within the business we have a strong commitment to improving people management; knowing that we have exceeded the industry average against the new IIP standard, in each of the nine industry benchmark indicators, is a testament to our staff and everyone’s hard work.” He continued, “Our employees are our most valuable asset and as a business we intend to continue to empower our workforce so that we can achieve our future goals.”
Since the introduction of the new standard only the top five percentile of organisations assessed achieve the silver level straight away.
Ends
For more information about Investors in People please visit www.investorsinpeople.com
As a leading electoral printing specialist and trusted supplier to no fewer than 80 local authorities across the UK, Print Image Network has to protect its company assets, IP and customer data, against common cyber threats.
Having held ISO 27001, the international standard for Information Security, for 5 years, information security processes are common practice at the North West based business. However, to further secure its systems, Print Image Network went through the Cyber Essentials application in April 2017 and is pleased to announce that it has passed.
What is Cyber Essentials?
Cyber Essentials is a government-backed cyber security certification scheme that sets out a good baseline of cyber security suitable for all organisations spanning all sectors. The scheme addresses five key controls that, when implemented correctly, can prevent around 80% of cyber-attacks.
Print Image Network implemented these five Cyber Essentials Controls to help it stay secure: -
Why Cyber Essentials?
Working with local authorities to print election stationery including postal votes, ballot papers and poll cards, means handling confidential data and information. For Print Image Network it is therefore crucial to eliminate risk wherever possible, as cyber attacks can cause expense and disruption, something the company will go to extreme lengths to avoid.
Managing Director, John Foster, says of the certification “The reason we applied for Cyber Essentials was to add an additional layer of security to our already robust security set-up. Knowing that, as a business, we are protected from the vast majority of common cyber attacks allows us to concentrate on our customers’ needs with confidence.”
Print Image Services Director and Customer Service Excellence ambassador, Stephen Power, added “Achieving the Cyber Essentials certification will help to further enhance customer trust and confidence in our organisation and our service. As a team we work extremely hard to put the customer first; the customer experience and security has to be at the heart of everything we do.”
Included in the assessment was an external penetration test, which Print Image Network passed. The assessment was completed by IT Governance, the full scope included firewalls, routers, end user devices and hosted systems at the company’s headquarters.
For more information please contact the Print Image Network team on: -
Following another successful annual audit visit from the Customer Service Excellence Assessor, Print Image Network has achieved its third consecutive Compliance Plus award.
Awarded for excellence in Customer Insight, the print management and electoral printing specialist demonstrated, yet again, a greater understanding of its customers’ needs and preferences, through customer liaison and contract management.
After another successful visit and Compliance Plus merit, CSE Lead Assessor, Michael Lynch, asked to work with Print Image Network to develop a case study to demonstrate how the CSE framework can be used effectively in terms of self-reflection, reviews of service and ensuring continuous improvement.
On 22nd March 2017, the Print Image Network case study was released on the Centre for Assessment’s home page as the featured case study to showcase how the Customer Service Excellence Standard is used successfully, to achieve high customer satisfaction.
The full case study can be read here >>
Following the assessment visit Michael Lynch BA (Hons) Cert.Ed. MIC CMC FIC, CSE Lead Assessor said “This has been an excellent surveillance visit for Print Image Network and the pre-assessment documentation which was sent to the Assessor was exemplar. Print Image Network use the CSE framework effectively and have seen the impact in terms of self-reflection, reviews of service and ensuring continuous improvement. The Assessor looks forward to next year in order to carry out their three year review.”
To find out how our Customer Service Excellence Standard is applied to the service we provide to our customers, contact us today: -
Recently, Print Image Network achieved Compliance Plus for the third time since receiving Customer Service Excellence Standard status. Awarded for excellence in Customer Insight, the company demonstrated greater understanding of its customers’ needs and preferences, through customer liaison and contract management. The Compliance Plus merit was awarded after another fantastic year for the company, where it achieved a customer satisfaction award of 98%, following its annual customer survey.
The Customer Service Excellence Standard tests in great depth, areas that research has shown to be a priority for customers. Its main areas of focus include delivery, timeliness, information, professionalism and staff attitude. Emphasis is also placed on developing customer insight, understanding the user’s experience and implementing robust measurement of service satisfaction.
Following the assessment visit, Michael Lynch BA (Hons) Cert.Ed. MIC CMC FIC, CSE Lead Assessor said “This has been an excellent surveillance visit for Print Image Network and the pre-assessment documentation which was sent to the Assessor was exemplar. Print Image Network use the CSE framework effectively and has seen the impact in terms of self-reflection, reviews of service and ensuring continuous improvement. The Assessor looks forward to next year in order to carry out its three year review.”
As part of the surveillance visits the Customer Service Excellence assessor randomly contacted Print Image Network customers. There were many positive statements, including: -
‘The best I have ever used.’
‘We have a good working relationship which ultimately helps the end customer.’
‘I have used several people before, but they have been excellent.’
‘They are very helpful and sort things quickly.’
‘We have a single point of contact which is great.’
To read our award news you can click the download here>>
Print Image Network Ltd, one of the leading electoral printing specialists in the UK, will be attending the 2017 AEA Conference as sponsor, exhibitor and delegate, at the Hilton Metropole Hotel in Brighton from Sunday 5th February to Wednesday 8th February 2017.
In its 30th year the AEA will hold its annual conference ahead of another busy year of electoral activity. As usual the content will include helpful information and tools to support electoral administrators. Key electoral service suppliers, including Print Image Network, will be available in the exhibition area to help delegates find practical solutions to electoral issues; ensuring efficient and transparent processes.
Conference, as always, presents an ideal opportunity to share challenges and ideas. Print Image Network will be exhibiting at Stand 12, showcasing our electoral print and mail solutions for local elections, registration, Community Governance Reviews and Referenda and much more.
As always we will be on hand to discuss how your preparations are going for 2017 elections and registration, offering advice to both experienced and new electoral administrators alike. Furthermore, we are happy to support the event by sponsoring the delegate notebooks and pens for another year, especially in such prestigious year for the AEA - its 30th Anniversary.
We are looking forward to seeing all our council partners and non-partners at the 2017 AEA Conference. If you haven't experienced an election year or registration with Print Image Network, please come and visits us at Stand 12 and see why we have a customer satisfaction rating of 98%.
Read our customer satisfaction survey results here >>
With so much speculation about the date of the EU Referendum, it’s little wonder that local authorities are confused about when to schedule their printing requirements for ballot papers, postal votes and poll cards.
Although talks with the European Council President failed to secure an early deal, reports suggest that further talks will prove crucial ahead of the EU Summit on 18-19 February 2016. Therefore, the EU Referendum could still happen as early as 23 June.
Despite the speculation, the date for the referendum remains unknown, with debate surrounding every possible option. News articles continue to present conflicting views. One report has suggested that the EU Referendum is not at the top of the agenda for EU leaders, eluding to the fact that a deal may not be reached later this month.
However, the Government’s recent motion, which sets out some of the rules of the referendum i.e. the length of the campaign, funding and the timing of the count, plus on going discussions with the European Council President, strengthens reports that Thursday 23 June is still the favourite contender.
Whatever the outcome of the EU Summit during 18 -19 February, Print Image Network is advising local authorities to plan for the soonest possible eventuality. If you’d like to discuss electoral printing for the EU Referendum please contact us today on 0161 209 4800 or email sales@printimagenetwork.com
Alternatively, we will be at Stand 3 at the AEA Conference, 28 February – 2 March 2016, where our team will be happy to discuss the EU Referendum.
Following the Electoral Commission's request for input on the proposed direction and guidance for the forthcoming EU Referendum, Print Image Network has formulated a response in support of various clients. Our response refers to the timetable for poll cards, postal votes and ballot papers amongst other things.
To view our response in full, please click the link below: -
EU Referendum EC Consultation Response Document
