Meet the Team
Our team brings a combined 30+ years in the print industry.
Get to know our team!
Katie
Managing Director
It sounds cliché, but I think I was always meant to have ink in my blood. Summers spent in the bindery while I was at school, and summers in the office while I was at University, I began my journey into the print and graphics world. I joined our previous company full time in 2017 after finishing my degree in French & Spanish and a year working abroad. I dived head first into learning as much as I can about the industry so I could best support our customers with their diverse projects. Now, as Managing Director of Cactus Graphics, I wear many hats but still love to work with Richard to provide support, advice and reliability to our clients.
When not at Cactus, you’ll find me out walking with our poochon Monty in the beautiful Kent countryside or rustling up something yummy in the kitchen. I spent a winter working as a chalet chef in the Alps which made me fall in love with cooking (and eating!). I also love to visit Spain as much as possible, I fell in love with the country after spending a year working and living in Segovia in 2013. I try to go back at least once a year to enjoy the culture, the food, the weather and the way of life. And to practice my now rusty Spanish!
Richard
Commercial Director
My first role in print and graphics at 16 years and 2 days was as glamorous as most. It was to hand collate 30’000 A4 sheets x 4 into one pile. Ooof that was tough week.
At the end of that week I asked “Can I clean that press?”.
At the end of that month I asked “Can I print that letterhead?” My 1st print job.
By the end of that year, a press minder left the business, and I asked “Can I have his press minders role”. 26 years later, Production, Sales and customer services roles in 3 businesses and I am still wanting to find the next thing to nurture, grow and experience.
Everyday I’m working with Marketing teams, Developers, Education and Designers, my role is varied, fast and tough but I go home knowing I did my absolute best. Every day!
I am the same in my home life too. I love to try anything! DIY, knocking walls down, putting them back up plumbing anything. As long as my wife tells me so. Then I can do what I want, gardening and propagating Cacti is an obvious mention. As any gardener knows you don’t buy a plant, its added to your already large collection.
I spend all my time I can with my family. My son plays a lot of football, my daughter is a social media connoisseur. I watch a lot of both of them doing it!
Beach time and BBQs are high on the family agenda all the time. Cooking a sausage in a force ten gale wind and side rain is pretty tricky.
Most things in life I have tried, and of course sometimes failed. Rain soaked, windblown cold sausage, not appreciated by the family.
It’s a little mantra of mine but Family and Business is not work it’s a Lifestyle.
Natasha
Creative Designer
Hello! I’m Tash, a Creative Designer here at Cactus Graphics.
I’ve worked in both the marketing and print industry since obtaining my degree in 2010.
As a natural born introvert, I love nothing more than spending time in nature; or you can usually find me in a local coffee shop with a herbal tea and a book. I have recently started cold water swimming… I know what you’re thinking, that sounds like fun! I can only describe it as awful but amazing at the same time.
Best thing I’ve done so far is travel around Europe, in a (very) small campervan and the best place I visited was Portugal, I love all things Portuguese… A Portuguese custard tart is my weak point. Now to learn the language and retire out there!
I’m also a big advocate of giving back to your local community, which is why I’ve signed up as an Age UK befriender.
Abi
Graphic Designer
Since graduating with my degree, I have gone on to pass my driving test… freedom!! This has fuelled my love for exploring new places and good food. I’m a bit of a mini manic as I have recently joined the mini community and absolutely adore my car.
I’m an all-round animal lover and enjoy going to zoos in my spare time with the exception of seeing snakes or spiders.
Lauren
Junior Graphic Designer & Marketing Assistant
Hello! I’m Lauren, a Junior Graphic Designer & Marketing Assistant here at Cactus Graphics.
I’m passionate with both illustration and design. Since graduating from University, I wanted to keep my creativity flowing. Delving into cross-stitching to making Cosplay garments and headwear, I love teaching myself new things! Next, I will master how to crochet.
As an introvert I do love spending time at home pottering about in my garden or playing video games, especially older ones on my Nintendo 64. I like spending my free time in local cat cafes, I’m very cat obsessed. I currently have three of my own, if I was allowed I definitely would have more.
I pride myself as a creative in both my work as well as my appearance, I have many tattoos. I see my skin as a canvas filled with vivid colours.
Joe
Customer Development Lead
Hey there, I’m Joe, your friendly neighbourhood salesman! With over a decade working in different sectors of sales, I joined the team here in October 2023, and I’ve been learning as much as I can about the printing world since!
When I’m not in the office and enjoying my weekend, you’ll find me out on a Sunday playing Sunday league football with a local team me and my closest friends created. I’m a massive Liverpool FC fan also and will always be sat with a beverage in front of the TV or at the pub to watch.
I also spend most evenings binging both new and old TV shows with my fiancée, or the odd time I get some me time, I’ll switch on my Xbox to blow off steam. I am also a massive fan of Wrestling and anything to do with Superheroes and Comics.
Nathan
Head of Print
I started in print around the time of the dinosaurs, so things have changed a lot! I still enjoy doing what I do, using precision, a keen eye, attention to detail and problem solving translates well to some of my out of work hobbies too. I enjoy cars, not only driving them, but tinkering and maintenance that you have to be on top of while owning classic and older cars. With my wife and granddaughter we frequent many English Heritage, National Trust and wildlife sanctuaries on our weekends off. A quarter century of print has led to questions about my sanity, but I have been tested. I failed, but I have been tested.
Owen
Production Machine operator
Hi, my names Owen. Whilst being the second youngest of the team I have been printing for the last 3 years hopefully many more to come. With the vast knowledge of printing within cactus graphics I am always learning new things within the company. In my past time I like fixing cars which happens more often than not, I always seem to buy a project that needs fixing. I also like taking my dog Buddy for walks out in the countryside trying to wear him out.
John
Head of Installs
Hi I am John, I am by nature an inquisitive person which reflects in my many interests. I am very much a reader, usually with 3 or 4 books on the go at any one time, my house is a library with books in all rooms!
I enjoy history, archaeology, sciences, engineering and sci fi and many other ‘ologies’. I’ve many antique and vintage oddities around the house too, I am always dismantling, repairing, renovating and restoring items, currently working on a 1905 singer sewing machine and a 1950s MIG aircraft Night Scope.
I am into DIY, recycling and upcycling – love to see things reused and repurposed.
I paint watercolours, and am just about to start with oil paints. I have an appreciation for art and its artists of many types and styles. Favourite Artist Salvador Dali. Favourite painting Nighthawks by Edward Hopper (currently! So many more to see ….)
I am often out walking in the countryside or along the beach with my two dogs, though not so far now as they’re getting old. The natural world is always a joy for me, it’s very interesting and inspiring both local and further afield.
I am a keen Gardener too, I enjoy getting my hands dirty.
My Hands are clean though when I bake cakes, I enjoy trying to make different cakes, it’s quite therapeutic really I find, soggy bottoms or not! Anyway I’ve not had any complaints from work colleagues yet, unless of course they’re just being nice.
Current projects…. Learning Russian … slowly!
Future challenges…. Learning to sing.
Oh one last thing… If you see me whilst installing at your place, I am coffee, white, 1 sugar…
Jamie
Installs Assistant
Hi, my name is Jamie and here at Cactus Graphics I do some of the installations of the graphics. My favourite part of this job is seeing the finished product and how good it looks. At home I spend most my time speaking and hanging out with my friends, which is also my favourite pass time.