Aitken steps down from the VMA Board

The Visual Media Association (VMA) announced Matt Aitken's resignation as President of the VMA at its recent July board meeting and the election of new board offices and office bearers.

Aitken has been President of the VMA for two years, with significant industry Board Director experience. His experience includes his initial appointment to the former Print & Visual Communication Association (PVCA) in 2016, the Treasurer, Deputy Chair, then Chair Office Bearer positions for the Australasian Catalogue Association (ACA) and the Chair of The Real Media Collective Board.

"Having given over eight years of service to the industry, as well as supporting two major mergers initially with ACA and TRMC, then TRMC and VMA, I feel now is the right time to step down and for the Board, and the Association, to enter its next lifecycle evolution," says Aitken, CEO of IVE Group.

New Office Bearer elections include Kevin Pidgeon, Lithocraft and former Deputy President, elected as the new President with Stuart Fysh, The Label Factory, elected to Deputy President, moving from the Hon. Secretary role he has held for four years. Kirsty Woodhead, Breen Printing, has been elected Hon. Secretary with Rodney Frost, retaining his role as Hon. Treasurer. Simon Bailey, IVE Group, GM – NSW, was elected last week to join the Board.

Aitken has overseen significant evolution across his leadership of the industry associations he has chaired, including merging several organisations to form the peak commercial print industry body under the VMA. Building Board diversity and skillset is another achievement. Double-digit year-on-year membership growth, engagement and stability of TRMC through COVID is also credited to Aitken.

"The recent TRMC and PVCA merger into the VMA is absolutely the best way forward, the united Board has a common dedication to how one industry body is the best for all of industry. I want to thank each and every Board Officer for their support, and I know I leave the organisation in very safe hands in the leadership of Kevin Pidgeon. I also want to thank Kellie, over much of my industry Board roles, she has held the Executive position and always worked with dedicated passion to the members and industry, pushing every opportunity and I believe will continue to deliver for the industry with the Association is in a much stronger place," furthered Aitken.

Kevin Pidgeon has worked in many roles in the industry for over sixty years and in associations for twenty. The VMA says that Pidgeon brings a stable hand to the leadership team as a well-respected industry member.

"I thank Matt for all his years of service and appreciate his significant contributions whilst also having a very large role across the IVE business. I thank my fellow Board Offices for their support in electing me as President and look forward to working for the industry across the Association's new programs and commitment to the industry," commented Pidgeon, President and Executive Chairman of Lithocraft.

"My final comments are, thank you to all I have worked with in the industry roles; I will remain a strong supporter and assist where I can. I continue to support a single industry association for our industry and urge any companies not members to contact the team and get involved; we can achieve so much more together with a united, stronger approach," concluded Aitken.