Now in its fourth year, there was a bright spotlight on the FESPA Leaders program in and around this year’s FESPA Australian Conference. First, a cocktail party the night before the conference, to celebrate both this year’s crop of 14 participants and those that have gone before them. Then, at the conference itself, an opportunity for a couple of the 2025 leaders to share their story.
14 new FESPA Leaders have recently completed the two-day program, ably facilitated by Carl Harman, pictured here at the speaker podium
Whilst Sonya Beers from Ive Group - named the 2025 FESPA Australia Leader, as voted by her peers – and runner-up in that accolade, Karen Lawler from Cactus Imaging, will both receive subsidised trips to attend FESPA Barcelona in May 2026, the spotlight at the FESPA Australia Conference 2025 was on two other course participants.
To illuminate and accentuate the raison d’etre that sits behind the two-day leadership program, course facilitator, Carl Harman, invited Ball & Doggett Service Coordinator, Tess Van Vloten and Vivad Production Manager, Hussain Bhalwany to the stage, to share their leadership ambition stories.
Both spoke eloquently and with passion and have kindly given permission to WideFormatOnline to share their speeches with a wider audience:
Tess Van Vloten, Ball & Doggett Service Coordinator
“I’ve always believed that the best outcomes come from people working together, not from one person being in charge. I’ve seen first-hand how much stronger a team can be when everyone feels included and their voice matters, and that belief has shaped how I approach leadership.
I enjoy solving problems alongside my team and creating an environment where people feel supported. For me, leadership isn’t about control: it’s about enabling others to grow, succeed, and feel proud of what we achieve together.
While I’ve never formally held a leadership title, I’ve often led informally in both my professional and personal life. My colleagues regularly come to me for advice and support, which has reinforced my belief that leadership is about influence, not position. As a mum, I lead every day - guiding, supporting, and helping others develop confidence and resilience. In the future, I hope to formally step into a leadership role where I can continue to inspire, empower, and bring out the best in others.
Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working under a variety of leaders , some who inspired me, and others who taught me valuable lessons about the kind of leader I don’t want to be.
The best leaders I’ve worked with listened, involved their teams in decisions, and created a sense of shared purpose. They were approachable, transparent, and genuinely cared about their people. They led by example, offered guidance, and celebrated team successes. From them, I learned that empathy, trust, and collaboration are what truly bring out the best in others.
I’ve also experienced leadership that was disconnected or dismissive of ideas. Those situations, though difficult, reinforced my belief that leadership isn’t about authority - it’s about respect, communication, and creating space for others to contribute. I saw how quickly morale suffers when people don’t feel heard or valued.
Something that has stayed with me since the start of my career was when I first joined the print industry. My manager told me that print was a dying industry and to ‘get out while I could’. There was no passion, no drive, and no belief in the future of the work we were doing. That moment became a turning point for me. I want to be the kind of leader who inspires the next generation - someone who reignites passion, shows what we are capable of, and leads with energy, curiosity, and an open mind.”
Hussain Bhalwany, Vivad Production Manager
Howzat for a Change!?
Me leading today, I believe, has a lot to do with my three brothers.They all held leadership positions in our community. Two of them were known for being a bit wild — leading the mischief-makers in our community — while one led the Angels. I am the youngest, with a massive age gap between us. Because of their very different paths, I saw both sides of human nature from an early age.
Whenever I found myself in a ‘good crowd’, my brother’s reputation earned me a seat in the front row. And when I was around a ‘bad crowd’ - well, now they had three troublemaking brothers. I chose to stick closer to my cleaner brother. Because of his good standing, people assumed I was a leader too. I was given leadership roles from a young age and throughout different stages in life.
I was the cricket captain for most of my playing years. But did we do well? Were we any good? No way - far from it! We could open the innings, but we had no idea how to close it. We did not know our boundaries. We were completely stumped. Our team was famously called Butterfingers 11. Honestly, I was crap at it.
The best thing that ever happened to me was my mum kicking me out of Pakistan when I turned 18. She thought I would be back the next month — she had no faith in me!
I came to Australia to study printing. After I finished my studies, our family hit serious financial trouble. I was regularly doing 3am starts and 6pm finishes to support them. I became their leader. Then opportunities started opening at work, and I found myself being the natural choice. Those early starts taught me discipline. They made me accountable. They made me responsible. All that hardship turned me into a stoic.
When you genuinely care about the welfare of others, you will push yourself beyond limits.
The way I helped my family is how I feel about my colleagues. I want to create an environment where my team carries the same fire I do. I want them to aim for my job: to grow, to lead, to have a story. I want them to create job opportunities of their own and for others. I want nothing but the best for them. I have made a commitment to support them in achieving that.
Now, every now and then my mum tells the family: ‘Do what Hussain has done.’
Howzat for a change?!
Nigel Davies, FESPA Australia President, says: "We are really proud that this program has now created an alumni of fifty printing industry leaders who will take the lessons they have learnt through the program, to take this industry forwards into the future. When we started the program, we said we were going to build a print army, and we are well on the way.”
Davies and Harma were was also both quick to acknowledge the continued support of the FESPA Leaders Program sponsors: Orafol (Diamond), Durst and Easy Signs (Gold), Cactus Imaging, IVE Group, Mimaki and Vivad (Silver), and HVG Graphics Media and Ball & Doggett (Bronze).
