BOSS appoints new CEO

The BOSS Federation are delighted to announce the appointment of Philip Lawson as their next Chief Executive Officer. Philip succeeds Michael Gardner who is retiring after 8 successful years in the role. Michael leaves a strong legacy having transformed the federation through steady membership growth and broadening the services available. Lawson's appointment follows a comprehensive recruitment process and is effective from 1 June 2016.

Sean Starkey, BOSS Chairman comments: "Philip is an excellent replacement for Michael in this key role for our industry federation and has the full support of the BOSS Board following a thorough and widespread selection process.

I'd personally like to thank Michael for his commitment and service over the last eight years and we wish him a long and healthy retirement. I also look forward to working with Philip and wish him every success in his new position."

Phil Lawson is widely known in the industry and has extensive experience in sales, marketing and purchasing positions at leading companies including Dudley Stationery, UK Paper, and most recently OfficeTeam where he has enjoyed a varied and successful 20-year track record in senior management, most recently completing the post-acquisition integration of Buro. He has recently been studying eBusiness through the Open University, where he previously completed an MBA. He is a Liveryman at the Stationers Company, a member of the Society of Old Friends and a Fellow of the IOD.

"I've worked with Philip for many years. He is a very suitable and capable person for the position and he has my full support," said Jeff Whiteway, Group CEO of Spicers OfficeTeam and a BOSS Federation board member. "While I will be sorry to see him leave OfficeTeam, Philip's motivation to put something back into the industry is understandable and commendable."

"I've had a fascinating and rewarding career in the office products industry and I'm privileged to have worked with so many leading lights of our trade over the years," said Lawson. "I'm keen now to take this opportunity to put something back into supporting our industry's interests and I'm thrilled to have been appointed. I will of course be sad to leave OfficeTeam and the colleagues I have worked with there and I wish Jeff and the whole team all the best for the future.

Sean, Michael and the board have engineered strong foundations for the federation and Geoffrey Betts and I will look to build on that in our respective positions of Chairman Elect and CEO. When considering the talent and capabilities of the current BOSS board and the strength of the operational team our prospects look very bright.

BOSS Members' Day will now take place on 6 June, to coincide with Philip's appointment. Details will be circulated to members in due course. Philip comments, "I'll be keen to hear views from our members on how we can continue to offer them added value and on how we grow our Federation."