BJ Ball’s Ross Black has been named the new president of the PIAA board following last week’s shock resignation of former head David Leach.
After a tumultuous couple of months marked by rising dissatisfaction among members and the resignation of its president, deputy president and CEO Jason Allen, Printing Industries has unveiled a revamped board that includes a new president, deputy and honorary secretary and shifts the board’s power balance away from its traditional Sydney focus.
Ross Black of BJ Ball in Melbourne takes the role of National President, effective immediately, until December 31, 2016. ACT-based director Kieran May will step into the role of Deputy President (replacing Queensland director Susan Heaney, who resigned in December) and Tasmanian board member Craig Pearce will take on the role of Honorary Secretary.
The PIAA also announced yet another Sydney-based resignation from the board, with NSW director and former Honorary Secretary Stephen Edwards leaving after two years to devote more time to his role as Director on the Snap Franchising Board and Global CEO.
In a press statement, Black immediately addressed complaints by disaffected PIAA members who have threatened to call a Special General Meeting for a vote of no confidence over the board’s recent direction and the unprecedented turnover of PIAA employees.
“The Board acknowledges that previous communication and information has sometimes been siloed in its delivery. While communication and information has been released in regular bulletins, for some members this may not have come under notice and the 2016 objective for the Board is to ensure we explore all types of communication channels. The Board also welcomes greater communication with members and is very supportive of the imminent engagement plan that is being coordinated by PIAA, for 2016. We strongly welcome the opportunity to increase our open and transparent dialogue with members.”
However, Black also warned that what he described as ‘breaches of privacy by persons of the organisation’ would no longer be tolerated.
“The Board is very aware of the need to draw the correct balance between the members’ right to know, and not release information which breaches the right to privacy for individuals or ‘commercial in confidence’ data. The PIAA has unfortunately been subjected to breaches of privacy by persons of the organisation; we would like to take this opportunity to remind our members that no Director is authorised to discuss confidential information without approval of the Board and appropriate confidentiality agreements.”
The PIAA also revealed a new 2016 PIAA national road show aimed at encouraging ‘direct dialogue’ with members. “We’d like to take this opportunity to announce an imminent engagement plan with members to capitalise on the planned roadshows in every state, to elaborate on the future plans and commit to ensuring it is executed,” said Jason Allen.
The statement from the board said it had already launched an immediate process to replace the three casual board positions and added that its CEO recruitment process was already underway. One of the focuses would be on ‘increasing female representation.'