Gemini Group

John Boyle OBE

One of Britain's leading entrepreneurs is to take a more active role in Shoreham-based print company Gemini Press.

The news follows the death on July 1st of founder and Chairman Nigel Holmes who had built up the company over more than 40 years.

Non-executive director John Boyle OBE, already a major shareholder and who is Chairman of investment company The Hamilton Portfolio Ltd, is to become more actively involved in running Gemini, the largest printing company in the South.

The Gemini board has also been considerably strengthened by the appointment as Chairman of Derek Weir.  In his commercial life, Derek has held many senior finance roles in the UK and overseas, latterly as Head of Barclays Corporate in Scotland and Ireland. He now assists a number of companies with their financing requirements and managing their relationships with external funders

The print industry has been hard hit by the recession but Gemini has managed to buck the trend, increasing sales by £1 million in the past year, taking turnover to over £16 million.

In order to restructure the business and position it for further success, a division of the company in Heathfield is to close with the loss of 30 jobs.

Gemini's Managing Director Steve Cropper said: "We are very sorry to have to make this decision regarding Quentin Press."

As part of the restructuring, Gemini is also planning a major round of investment at the company's main plants at Shoreham and its new factory in Brighton where 100 people are employed.

Mr Cropper said: "Gemini has been the leading print company in South for many years and we are planning to maintain that position by investing £800,000 over the next three months to streamline our production processes, with the prospect of more investment to follow."

He added: "We are confident of the strength of our position in the core businesses, particularly in Sussex, after the last 12 months which has been very encouraging.  In an increasingly challenging economic climate, investment is all the more crucial to maintain a competitive edge."

Mr Boyle, a former Scottish Entrepreneur of the Year who has a highly successful track record of achieving rapid growth in companies, said: "Gemini is a highly innovative company with a pedigree going back almost 40 years and I very much look forward to playing a more active role in the company following the sad death of Mr Holmes."

Mr Cropper welcomed the increased involvement of Mr Boyle.  "John brings a wealth of experience and expertise to Gemini and I am very much looking forward to working with him more closely," he said. "I am confident that with John being more actively involved in the company Gemini will continue to go from strength to strength."