Page 14 - BOSS Today Issue 62

BOSS Today #62 BOSS MEMBERS’ DAY
Highlights from
Members’ Day 2025
Insight & Influence:
Navigating Uncertainty,
Embracing Change
rom economic shifts to generational
Fchange, BOSS Members’ Day 2025 how to understand the next generation
brought together expert voices entering the workplace.
and industry leaders to explore the
opportunities within transformation.
Taking place in London on Monday from the industry and was chaired by
21st July at Stationers’ Hall in London,
senior delegates from BOSS member expert panel included:
companies heard from Rebecca Harding,
an independent trade economist on why
Uncertainty is the New Certainty and
n Elliot Jacobs, CEO, UOE
n Simon Weavers, Sales Director,
The Cheeky Panda
n Liz Stevenson, Strategic Director, ACS
The BOSS Annual General Meeting (AGM)
also took place on the day, where it was
announced that Aidan McDonough, then
Hawley BOSS Chairperson when her two-
CEO, Integra will take over from Julie
year tenure ends later this year.
Aidan McDonough is a veteran leader in
the UK’s independent dealer channel, having
spent a lifetime building and guiding Integra
Business Solutions to become a market-
leading group. Throughout his career, he
has championed strategic consolidation,
diversification, and member-focused
innovation. His leadership roles in BOSS
Federation and BPGI highlight his influence
both on a national and European scale,
whilst the forthcoming merger with Office
Friendly will mark a transformative new
chapter and a continued leadership role for
Cory Lowde, Educational consultant, on Aidan as the Chairman of BLOC Group when
it is formed. You can read Aidan’s 60 second
interview in this edition of BOSS Today.
A panel session on Change as an BOSS Chairperson, Julie Hawley stated:
Opportunity welcomed senior leaders “It was a delight to join our members
for a full agenda at Stationers’ Hall this
Julie Hawley, BOSS Chairperson. The year. Following on from the AGM, the
Keynote speakers created much debate
along with fresh thinking, and our
n Jeanette Caswell, Managing Director, industry panellists shared their real-world
Office Friendly experiences of business transformation.
It has been an honour to serve as
Chairperson, and I am delighted to hand
over the reins to Aidan, whose deep
understanding of our industry makes him
exceptionally well-placed to lead BOSS
into the next chapter.”
Both the BOSS Board and BOSS team
extend their sincere thanks to Julie whose
commitment to BOSS over the last four
years has been outstanding.
BOSS Members’ Day 2025
brought together expert
voices and industry leaders
to explore the opportunities
within transformation.
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60 SECOND INTERVIEW BOSS Today #62
incoming
Chairperson
BOSS Today talks to Aidan McDonough, Chairman of BLOC and
current BOSS board member.
BT: Congratulations on being appointed BT: What skills and insights do you BT: What aspects of the role are you
Please can you describe your career next Chairperson for BOSS? AM: We have an exceptional team
believe that you can bring as the
as the new BOSS board Chairperson.
most looking forward to?
up to this point?
representing all areas within the
experience in the sector and 8 years
AM: I began my career in the industry in AM: I bring with me over 31 years of at BOSS and a diverse Board,
1994 with NDA, a buying group that as chairman with BPGI. My primary sector. I always come away from
merged with Instat in 1997. Following focus will be to support Amy and board meetings with valuable
the merger, I was appointed the BOSS board, offering guidance insights which reflect the depth and
Marketing Director, and in 2007 took and advice wherever needed. diversity of experience around the
on the role of Managing Director, Ensuring board members can table.
subsequently becoming CEO. share their views and opinions and
actively contribute to shaping the BT: What would you say to a company
In 2017, in addition to my CEO organisations strategic direction will in the industry who isn’t a BOSS
role, I was appointed Chairman also be an important part of my role. member? Why should they join?
of international purchasing
consortium, BPGI. BT: What challenges do you think that AM: I would say they are missing out
BOSS and their members are facing on valuable resources and the
BT: What has been your involvement over the next two years? advantages of having a strong
with BOSS so far? network behind them. From industry
AM: For those directly involved in the standards to best practice, BOSS has
AM: I have been on the BOSS board for general office products sector, we a team of experts to give guidance
over three years now. I have also will continue to see a progressive and advice in all areas of business.
worked with the BOSS Business contraction in the sector, driven Joining BOSS will also most certainly
Supplies Charity. by hybrid/remote working and the help when it comes to compliance
digitisation of the workplace. and staying ahead in a rapidly
BT: Why have you agreed to become evolving market.
the next BOSS Chairperson? BT: What opportunities do you think
BOSS and their members can take BT: Please tell me something about
AM: They made me! No seriously – I up over the next two years? yourself that few others know
have enjoyed contributing to
such a respected and professional AM: The challenge for many businesses in AM: I always wanted to be a commercial
organisation that plays a vital role in our sector is the need to diversify into pilot, love history and an avid reader
– mostly fiction and authors such as
new areas. The encouraging news is
the industry. I am pleased to be able
to continue this in a new capacity that many have already begun this Wilbur Smith, Bernard Cornwell!
and look forward to working with journey and are seeing positive results,
the BOSS board and team to further whether that’s in workwear, print, To view the full BOSS Board,
click here.
strengthen the organisation and the
packaging, facility supplies, furniture,
value it delivers to its members. or other diversification areas.
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