With the appointment of Ian Johns as managing director, DIC ANZ is reinforcing its web team by positioning Meredith Darke in a new role as web business manager. Johns – who has been DIC Australia/New Zealand since 1989 – will succeed David Rands in January. His career with the company includes commercial and branch management roles including a five year period as NZ general manager, and the past four as web division director and then post-integration of the DIC entities, as offset division director. He will continue to take a close interest in this segment. David Rands says DIC is fortunate to have Johns – “a seasoned executive with a tremendous depth of experience and talent" leading the company. “This positions us well for continuing to be the preeminent provider in our market segments." Johns, who began a career in the graphics arts as a litho apprentice litho in Adelaide, has a number of qualifications, most recently as a graduate member of AICD. "I'm really energized with being charged to lead DIC ANZ into our next phase of development,” he says. “Over recent years, we have seen strong growth for DIC in the Australian and New Zealand markets, and our challenge is to continue building quality business operations that service our customers.” Dr Rands will retire to become chairman of DIC ANZ. Born and educated in Auckland, Rands has made his home in Wellington NZ, Sydney, Singapore and Sydney again, and has been with DIC ANZ for 18 years. Prior to that, he spent 14 years with Taubmans Paints. During his time as managing director, DIC ANZ has transitioned to one company with headquarters in Sydney, bringing in subsidiaries DIC Colortron and DIC International, and has grown threefold in sales. Meredith Darke moves to the newly-created role of web business manager, having been been web commercial manager for the past 18 months of her three years with DIC. She has more than 16 years experience in the graphic arts industry – much of that with manroland distributor MAN Ferrostaal and its successors –and holds a postgraduate degree in business and management. Pictured (from left) David Rands, Meredith Darke and Ian Johns.