Announcing the new Managing Director of Ruddocks
Honouring a legacy and leading the future
Nikki Langwell
After 27 years with Ruddocks, our Managing Director, Paul Banton will retire at the end of this year.
For many of us, it’s difficult to imagine the business without Paul at the centre of it. Over nearly three decades, he has helped shape not only how Ruddocks has grown and evolved, but the culture, values and relationships that define the company today.
During that time, the business has grown significantly, diversified its reach, and progressed from a traditional print operation into an agency with a much broader creative offering. It has weathered recessions, navigated rapid change within the print and communications industry, and emerged from a global pandemic stronger and more resilient.
Now, as Paul prepares to step back, leadership will pass to someone whose journey reflects many of the same values that have shaped Ruddocks for more than a century.
Tris Palser, our Sales Director, will become Managing Director, more than 25 years after joining the business as an apprentice.
We spoke with Paul and Tris about the journey so far, what makes Ruddocks special, and the opportunities ahead.
Everything comes back to the people
Ask Paul what he is most proud of during his time leading the business, and the answer comes quickly. “The people, 100%”, he says.
“I’ve always believed that if you do right by the people who work with you, your team, your clients, your suppliers, and, just as importantly, the community, everything else tends to follow.”
“Being part of an organisation that’s brought together so many good people, and seeing those people not only grow and thrive, but also stick with us, makes me incredibly proud.”
Over the last 30 years, Ruddocks has grown from a £2 million print business focused almost entirely on lithographic printing into a creative production agency with a diverse client base and service offering.
But while the business has changed significantly, Paul believes the thing that truly sets it apart has always been its people.
“We’ve always had incredibly talented people here, but more importantly, they care about doing a good job. They are good people and care about the relationships we build with clients and the way we support each other.”
One milestone Paul highlights with particular pride is Ruddocks’ B Corp Certification, something he sees as the culmination of values the company had already been living for many years.
We’ve been on an environmental journey for nearly two decades. It’s something that matters deeply to me personally, and B Corp captures so much of what we’ve tried to build. It’s a holistic approach to doing business better, for people and the world we live in.
From apprentice to MD
If Paul’s story reflects the culture of Ruddocks, the journey of Tris Palser reflects the opportunities within it. Tris joined the company in 2001 as an apprentice film planner and plate maker.
“Our chairman, Henry Ruddock, hand-delivered a letter telling me to go and see Paul about a job,” he laughs.
One of his earliest memories of working at Ruddocks involved a project that required him to work 21 days straight!
“I didn’t dare say no. At one point, I remember thinking, what have I got myself into?”
Over time, Tris developed an increasing interest in the technology shaping the industry’s future.
“Paul noticed this and sent me to college to learn design software,” Tris explains. “From there, I became really focused on digital printing, data and personalisation.”
Those interests would go on to shape much of the company’s evolution in the years that followed.
Across more than two decades with the business, Tris has worked in production, technology, account management and sales, eventually becoming Sales Director and joining the leadership team.
Leading through challenge
One of the defining periods in the working relationship between Paul and Tris, and in shaping the future direction of the business, came during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Like many businesses, Ruddocks faced enormous uncertainty during that time.
“We worked very closely together during lockdown,” Paul says. “And you learn a lot about people when you’re dealing with challenges like that.”
For Tris, the experience was formative. “There were a lot of people relying on the survival of the business,” he says. “It was a period where I did a lot of growing up, both personally and professionally.”
The experience strengthened their working partnership and helped shape conversations about the future leadership of the company.
Why Tris?
Paul admits that succession has been something he has been thinking about for a while.
“I’ve believed for a number of years that succession would come from within the business, and that the people I have around me have the potential to lead it forward,” he adds.
For him, the decision ultimately came down to values as much as skills.
“Tris brings a strong analytical approach and an unrelenting drive to make things better. But the most important thing is that he shares the values that matter to this business.”
Reflecting on working alongside Paul, Tris confessed:
“Paul has had a huge influence on the culture and the way we work at Ruddocks. He genuinely cares about people, about doing the right thing, and about building something that lasts. That’s something I’ve learned a lot from and will carry forward.”
Tris himself is still slightly surprised by the journey: “I never set out with the ambition of becoming the Managing Director of Ruddocks. Looking back at the path from apprentice to MD, it’s something I’m incredibly proud of.”
“I’ve always just wanted to make a difference and create improvements where I could. It says a lot about the business and how it supports and develops people. That’s always been part of the Ruddocks culture.”
Reflecting and looking ahead
While the communications and print industries continue to evolve rapidly, both Paul and Tris believe the future for Ruddocks is full of opportunity.
For Tris, the focus is on building on the company’s strong foundations while continuing to adapt to the changing needs of clients. “Our core offering remains incredibly strong,” he says.
“But as technology evolves, there are new ways we can support our clients and expand what we do.”
What excites him most, however, is the team: “We have some fantastic people across the business and strong foundations to build on. The opportunity to keep developing the business together is really exciting.”
For Paul, stepping away after nearly three decades brings mixed emotions.
“This business has shaped who I am as a person,” he reflects. “It’s been challenging, defining and a lot of fun. I’ve made incredible friendships and worked with people who genuinely care.”
Retirement will bring the chance to travel and explore new adventures, something Paul says he is both excited and slightly nervous about.
But he is certain about one thing: the future success of Ruddocks.
When asked what message he would leave for the team, he said: “Keep on being brilliant, and try not to hide it!”
I’m really excited to see what comes next for Ruddocks. The business has always adapted and evolved, and I have no doubt it will continue to do amazing things.
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