Following the success of the FESPA Next Generation initiative, we hear from Molly Jackson, head of content and marketing at FESPA UK, who gives her perspective on entering the industry, standing out to employers, and embracing the team you work with
I joined FESPA UK in 2023, shortly after turning 19 years old. At the time, I knew very little about the print, signage, and graphics industries, let alone what FESPA UK actually did. During my first few weeks in my role as a content creator, I felt completely out of my depth, despite all the guidance and explanations from Suzi Ward, my managing director. My biggest challenge was simple – how could I create content for an industry I knew virtually nothing about?
I came into the job with no real expectations and very limited knowledge of the sector. Like most people, I assumed printing was all about paper. It didn’t take long for me to realise that the industry is far more diverse, innovative, and exciting than I had ever imagined.
Through FESPA UK and its members, I discovered the incredible range of work that falls under the print, signage, and graphics umbrella. From banners displayed at Wembley Stadium, and retail storefronts to graphics used on film and television sets – the creativity and scale of the industry surprised me at every turn. That’s only scratching the surface of what our members produce every day.
When I started at FESPA UK I was given the opportunity to complete a Level 3 apprenticeship in Content Creation which became the foundation of my journey within the association.
In the beginning my role was focused primarily on creating LinkedIn content. As my knowledge and confidence grew I began learning about email marketing and membership engagement, eventually progressing to visiting members across England, Wales, and Scotland to better understand their businesses and the wider industry.
From there I naturally became more involved in events and the work that goes on behind the scenes to make them successful. In many ways this feels like a full circle moment. Within my first few weeks at FESPA UK I was thrown in at the deep end while helping at one of our events then known as Making Connections Matter. At the time I was simply there to support and learn. Today I work alongside the rest of the team to help deliver major events such as our Annual Summit.
One of the aspects of my role that I am most proud of is leading the FESPA UK Next Generation initiative. Through this I have been able to create opportunities for young professionals within the industry including taking committee members to events such as the FESPA Global Print Expo in Barcelona. These experiences allow them to network and learn from industry leaders and witness the scale and innovation of the print and graphics sector first hand.
For many young people in the industry opportunities like this are incredibly valuable. Being able to travel abroad and attend a world class industry exhibition and gain the same experiences that many business owners and senior professionals benefit from, can be both inspiring and career defining. Seeing members of the Next Generation committee take advantage of these opportunities and grow in confidence is one of the most rewarding parts of my role.
A day at work is rarely boring. One minute I could be in the office, working from home or out on the road – no two days are ever the same, especially when I am working alongside Suzi, Jon Hutton, and then add Sarah (Suzi’s mum), also known as ‘Granny’, into the mix – enough said.
We really do feel like a small family. I know people often say you should not describe a workplace team in that way, but when you are a group of four running an association for the whole of the UK and spending so much time working and travelling together, it is hard not to feel that way.
That sense of family does not stop there, it also extends to my mentor Sarah Lees from Compass Business Finance, as well as the entire FESPA UK board. They all support me to be the best version of myself in my working life and are consistently inspiring, always willing to offer guidance and help whenever I need it.
My work with the FESPA Next Gen initiative is focused on helping to build a stronger connection between young people and the print and visual communications industry while also breaking down the idea that there is only one traditional path into work. The initiative is about showing that there are far wider opportunities available within the sector than many young people initially realise, from creative and technical roles through to leadership innovation and business development.
Sarah is a big support for me especially within the Next Generation as she is now our official ambassador of the initiative. It is important for us to have such a strong mentor role someone who genuinely acts as a guide and ambassador with the pure intention of investing in and supporting our industry’s growth.
That is what me and the committee strive for to let young people know that there are bigger opportunities out there than just working a day-to-day job. We are here to bring awareness to young people as well as directors and other industry businesses encouraging them to take a chance on young people and recognise how they can really change your team.
Think of it this way – who is going to be in place of those who you retire or change role – we are. Young people can promise you that we want bigger and better things for ourselves and we will work hard to get there. At the end of the day, we know it is a slow process, but all good things take time. It is about young people speaking up and using their voices to bring awareness that you should take a chance on us.
It is about young people speaking up and using our voices to bring awareness that you should take a chance on us
My thoughts on having young people join the industry are very positive, I think that is a given. I think it is amazing that as young people, even out of work, we strive for more and push ourselves to go out and try to get the jobs we really want. So, when a business sees a young person for their talent rather than just taking them on to fill another role, that is great. They are investing in their business and that is what we want more companies to do.
I think it is especially hard for young people these days to go out and push themselves to even get an interview in an industry that is not spoken about much. It can be challenging. So, I would say to them just be yourself be aware of what you are doing and your environment and remember that everything takes time to get into.
My advice is if you ever feel nervous or anxious about where you are within your workplace, or the industry, that is okay, others are feeling that way too even if they have been in the job two months or two years. The way I see it is that we are starting where our bosses and team members once were. Everyone in the industry has been the new hire at some point.
From reflecting on the start of my working life in the industry through to the future, I can see myself in a position similar to Suzi or Jon. It feels natural to want to progress within your workplace but for me this is not just about progression it is about a genuine desire to learn from my peers and mentors, driven by a real passion for what I do.
I enjoy my role and I am proud to work within this industry, but I am also deeply committed to my association. They have invested time and energy into me as a young person who initially knew very little about the industry and had limited confidence in a professional environment, as well as supporting my personal development along the way. Because of that I feel a strong sense of responsibility to give back and to share the knowledge and support I have been given with others coming into the industry.
When it comes to topics that need to be spoken about within the industry, awareness plays a big part. It is especially important in working life particularly as a young person to be mindful of your environment, the people you are with, and your surroundings. It is about having a sense of who you are, and who your audience is in different settings.
Whether it is at an event, a party, on a work call video call, or even in the office, there are different ways to behave, and I think that can sometimes be overlooked. No matter your age, how long you have been in the industry, or your role within a workplace, it is important to remember that while colleagues can become friends, you initially met through work.
This may be seen as a controversial view, but I think it is important advice to share from one person to another.
Find The Next Generation
If you are aged 18 to 30 and working in, or looking to enter the print, signage, and graphics industries, I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to get in touch with me at molly.jackson@fespauk.com to see how the Next Generation Committee and I can support you in your journey.
You can also join our dedicated Next Gen platform, where members can access exclusive events, free online courses, live sessions, and chat rooms designed to help you connect with others in the industry, ask questions, and learn at your own pace, and on your own terms.
Click Here to Join the Next Generation Platform:
