MEET THE TEAM: NATHAN 

At Imageco, we’ve decided to pull back the stage curtain to learn more about the team working behind the scenes. 

In the first of a number of Meet the Team profiles, we’d like to introduce our customers to the managing director, Nathan. 

Tell us a little bit about you. 

I’m 41 years old. Professionally, I have been the Managing Director of Imageco since March 2015. I’ve been here since 2003. I remember walking in on my first day, thinking, “I could do well here… Maybe I’ll be a designer.” I didn’t think I would own the place one day. Imageco have given me the opportunity to express my creativity and release the tonnes of ideas in my head. And, in 2017, I was voted one of the Yorkshire Business Insiders’ 42 Under 42 entrepreneurs – little old me from a Yorkshire mining village! I’m very proud of where I am. 

I have a creative background; in 1999, I graduated from the University of Huddersfield with a degree in Industrial Product Design. Over the years, I’ve been a very keen photographer. I’ve snapped over 100 weddings for my wife’s company Dulcie Butterfly. I love landscape photography, too. 

Outside of work, I enjoy travelling. When I’m not working or taking photographs, my beautiful family and I frequently travel to Italy and Spain. I speak Spanish and I’m currently learning Italian. I’m a bit of a lad, so I love spending time with my mates when I can – socialising and having a laugh with a few beers. In the summer, I love the outdoors. Mountain biking, fishing, chilling. During the winter I snowboard in Switzerland, too. 

What’s the coolest thing you’re working on right now? 

I’m working on some amazing retail work for one of the biggest brands around. We’re shipping it all over the UK and Europe at the minute. The next lot of work goes into a big retail outlet on Regent Street. Unfortunately, it’s a top-secret project! 

What’s the best thing about being at work? 

I love coming to work, which is important. I often look around at the cool space we’re in and have to pinch myself. I just love to see the work we produce coming to life and receiving great feedback from our clients. 

I also love the effort and care I see going into my staff’s work. I’m immensely proud – we have a great team. 

Give us one big change you can see coming in the industry in the next year. 

3D print and digital screen technologies will play big parts in the change coming to our industry. There’ll be more combinations of interactive print and sensory print experiences in retail. Retail itself will be driven more towards the experience of the consumer – to drive them out of their homes, off their computers and onto the high street. 

Print will still have its place, but we need to remain creative and push the boundaries of what we do. 

Describe your job in 3 words. 

Stressful. Fulfilling. Bonkers. 

Who would you like to swap places with for the day? 

Tricky one. I love David Attenborough and Steven Hawking. I also love a DJ called Maceo Plex. He is proper cool, makes amazing music and plays loads of great gigs. I’d love to be him for the day. Or maybe Donald Trump. Maybe I could understand what goes through his stupid head. 

What did you want to grow up to be when you were young? 

Don’t laugh… I wanted to be a professional fisherman. Or Luke Skywalker. 

What’s your go-to drink at the pub? 

Pint of Peroni. Too many and I’ll be on my back. 

If you could go anywhere in the world, right now, where would it be and why? 

Beam me to Lake Garda. Fast! Although, Tornado Alley would be cool. I want to see a super cell storm for real. 

Give us your best piece of advice. 

Work hard, play hard. It’s a bit of a cliché, but it’s true, and I base my morals on this. Be nice to people, and believe in what you do.