Workflow
Gerard Heanue to succeed George Clarke in top Heidelberg UK job
Tuesday 08. March 2011 - George Clarke is stepping up to take on a global role within Heidelberg. He becomes Director - Worldwide Sales Network, working with the sales organisations around the world which will make good use of his sales and strategic strengths. He will report to Bernhard Schreier, chief executive.
Mr Clarke is handing over the position of managing director for Heidelberg UK on 31 March 2011 to his long time colleague Gerard Heanue, the companys current finance director.
“I am leaving Heidelberg UK in safe hands,” says Mr Clarke. “I am very proud of the team; it is a motivated and expert workforce at all levels and I know that Gerard has the skills to give this team cohesion and direction and to address decisions when they occur. He is greatly respected by his peers.”
George Clarke, who has been with Heidelberg UK for 26 years, succeeded Wolfgang Gorth to the managing directorship in 2000. “Its the people, staff and customers, who have made it such a great job and I have at times thought: I never imagined work could be this much fun. I would like to be remembered as someone who always played straight with customers and tried to be a good gaffer to staff.
“Its been a difficult watch at times, what with the post 9/11 economic issues and then the banking crisis and consolidation within the industry. I leave a slimmed down company in good shape to move forward effectively. Heidelberg UK is highly respected for its products, support services and know-how and holds a leading position in terms of sales and profile. “
Last year was arguably the pinnacle for George Clarke when he held the roles of President of Ipex, Chairman of PrintIT!, managing director of Heidelberg UK and even chairman of his local housing association!
Gerard Heanue says: “George has done a fantastic job as managing director of Heidelberg UK and he has made it more of a service organisation than it has ever been. I will build on that and oversee other exciting developments, including the introduction of digital printing. I want to work in partnership with our customers. They depend on us and we depend on them and in partnership we can all succeed and flourish.”
Gerard first joined Heidelberg UK in 1995 as finance director. He steps up from that position but his service in the UK has had two interruptions, one for a five year stint (1999 to 2004) as chief financial officer of Heidelberg Asia Pacific based in Singapore and then for two years (2006 to 2008) as chief financial officer for Europe, the Middle East and Africa based in Heidelberg.
He has always enjoyed the commercial aspects of the business and is excited to be taking on the new role. He has been recognised internally as the natural successor to George for some time. Gerard is married to Elaine and has a teenage daughter Eleanor. He enjoys supporting Wasps rugby club and is currently in training for the Windsor triathlon.
Other members of the Heidelberg UK Board are: Jim Todd, sales director; Ian Wilcock, service director; and Mark Hogan, marketing director.