IR Talks To… Daniel Sunderland, president of FESPA

FESPA’s 19th president was sworn into office in May 2025 at the FESPA Global Print Expo. We catch up with Daniel Sunderland to find out more about the man himself and how the first six months of presidency have gone.

 When and where did you get your start in the industry? What is your background?

I’m a second-generation printer and I started working in the industry at the age of 14. At my father’s company, I went through every position – from ink production to machine operation to colour separation.

After finishing high school, I studied Accounting and worked as an accountant for several major companies, including PwC and Danone. I later earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration.

Although I pursued a career outside the printing industry for some time, I was never fully disconnected from it. Eventually, the right moment came for me to return to printing – something I’ve always loved and truly enjoy.

I’ve now been working full-time in the printing industry for over 30 years.

How long have you been involved with FESPA and in what capacity?

As the son of a printer who was deeply involved in the industry, I had the opportunity to engage with founding members of FESPA from a young age.

I’ve attended every FESPA show in Mexico since its first edition in 2008, and will also be attending this year’s event.

As an active member of my local printing association in Mexico (CANAGRAF), I was given the responsibility of expanding our international network. I strongly believe that the best way to achieve this is by joining the largest global printing community – FESPA – which includes a network of over 50 national associations, not to mention countless individual members through FESPA Connect in many other countries.

It was an honour to support CANAGRAF to become an Associate Member of FESPA 10 years ago. Since then, I’ve done my best to support the printing industry and the printers within our network in every way I can.

How did it feel to be sworn in as FESPA’s 19th president earlier this year?

Being sworn in as FESPA president was a moment of great pride for me. It’s a tremendous honour, but also a significant responsibility.

The term is relatively short and although we have an incredible team – from my fellow board members to the dedicated and talented FESPA staff – there is still a great deal to accomplish.

What did the first six months of your presidency entail? What have you done?

All FESPA presidents have previously served on the FESPA Board prior to their presidency. This ensures that, when a new president begins their term, they are already familiar with the planning and direction of the previous leadership. As a result, there is continuity in the organisation’s strategy and initiatives.

That said, it is also the responsibility of each new president to contribute their own ideas and enhance existing plans. In this regard, the entire team – including the board, the associations, the FESPA staff and myself – has been working hard to support our member associations in attracting more printing companies to join our global community.

The first six months of the presidency are crucial for defining and launching the future vision of FESPA. It’s during this time that we prepare the roadmap for the years ahead. Needless to say, it’s been a very busy and productive few months.

What plans and intentions have you got in store for the future of FESPA during your presidency?

My goal is to strengthen the influence of our local associations within their countries and communities. By doing so, more printing companies will be encouraged to join their national associations, expanding our network and creating a virtuous cycle: the more companies that come together, the greater the influence, and the more attractive the community becomes for others to join.

To achieve this, we’ll need the continued support of our valued industry suppliers, who have always been committed partners in building a stronger, healthier, and more connected printing industry.

 Can you explain what FESPA Future is and how this will help the speciality print community?

FESPA’s vision is: ‘To be the leading globally connected imaging community, sharing knowledge and driving inspiration for the speciality print industry’.

This vision is more alive than ever and fully aligned with our future goals. We aim to bring more national associations into the FESPA network, expanding our global community and increasing our presence in every corner of the world.

The more united the printing community becomes, the more we can achieve – together. Only through collaboration can we influence policies, advance techniques, and even contribute to the well-being of society. We all share a desire for a better, more sustainable planet, and by working as one, we can help develop standards and technologies that support this goal.

FESPA is not just about business, it’s about connection. By engaging with colleagues who share our values and interests, we uplift each other and strengthen the spirit of our industry. That’s why FESPA members are often considered part of a family.

We are also committed to bringing the latest technologies closer to printers by organising the leading exhibition for speciality print and signage. These events give printers access to the most innovative suppliers and cutting-edge solutions from around the world. And with FESPA exhibitions held annually in multiple regions, there is always a show near you.

What skills and advice have you picked up over time that have stuck with you?

That’s a difficult question. There are so many valuable lessons, but I’ll share a few related to my experience with FESPA.

First, one of the most important lessons I’ve learned is to support others selflessly. When you help those around you without expecting anything in return, you create a positive environment and good things tend to come back to you.

In terms of skills, having the opportunity to connect with experts and pioneers in various printing techniques through FESPA has significantly improved the quality of my work. It’s also given me a strong network of professionals I can turn to when troubleshooting technical challenges.

The training sessions and conferences offered at FESPA events worldwide, along with the technical guides available in the FESPA archives, have been invaluable resources and are accessible to all FESPA members and key to ongoing professional growth.

What is it that you enjoy most about working in the print industry?

The print industry is a transversal industry, meaning we provide essential services to virtually every other sector. We help communicate messages and ideas that touch on all aspects of daily life. This wide-reaching impact allows us to work across diverse industries, making every project different.

Whether it’s a single print or a run of 100,000, each job is unique. This differentiation helps us, as printers, avoid routine and monotony – making what we do not just valuable, but truly extraordinary.