Meet The Team

Director

Neil Southgate

Managing Director

Joined Labelnet: 1999 (Founder)

I worked in the print industry after leaving school for my Dads business until he retired and sold the company. At the time I felt that the self-adhesive label market was not being served well by the label producers. I spoke to loads of potential customers and realised so many label companies seemed to be letting their customers down with delivery or quality or both and the ones that weren’t seemed to be massively over charging for their products. I decided to start Labelnet with the aim of putting customers first and trying to keep costs to a minimum.

22 years later and the principles remain the same. Many of the customers we supplied in the first year are still ordering with us today and right now we’re growing faster than ever. We’ve continually invested in the latest machinery and systems and that has helped us to become one of the leading label companies in the UK.

Of everything we’ve achieved, I’m most proud of the team that’s been created at Labelnet. We have ambitious and determined employees that share the same values as the ones that the business was founded on and they will be the ones that ensure Labelnet continues to thrive over the next 22 years and beyond…

Fun Facts

Favourite Food: Indian Curry

Favourite Movie: Pulp Fiction

Favourite Holiday Destination: Austria – skiing

Favourite Colour: Blue

Cats or Dogs: Dogs

Winter or Summer: Summer

Hobbies: Playing Golf & Cricket. West Ham season ticket holder, England & Essex Cricket fan

Interesting Fact About Yourself: Never managed a hole in one despite plenty of trying!

If you were a label, what type of label would you be: A blue metallic label with a strong, permanent adhesive (you can’t get rid of me that easily) and a bold screen printed logo to stand out

Sales Administrator

Shirley Gifford

Sales Administrator

Joined Labelnet: 1999

I worked in various job roles before joining Labelet including Health & Saefty Executive at NatWest, and working part time in retail whilst bringing up my son. I have been in the label industry for 28 years, 21 of those with Labelnet. No day is the same here and most orders are different and I enjoy being part of the Labelnet team.

Fun Facts

Favourite Food: Burgers

Favourite Movie: Dirty Dancing

Favourite Holiday Destination: Caribbean

Favourite Colour: Blue

Cats or Dogs: Cats

Winter or Summer: Summer

Hobbies: Darts

If you were a label, what type of label would you be: Silver foil / blue image / gloss varnished – because I’m a polished label professional (ha ha)

Operations Manager

Rob Lorkins

Operations Manager

Joined Labelnet: 2014

After graduating from University, I have quickly progressed at Labelnet, working across many areas of the business and learnt a vast amount in a short period of time.

I have been in the print industry for 7 years and my role here now is focused around driving the business forward through continuous improvement in every area.

What do you like about working at Labelnet? The range of machinery we have means that we work on a wide variety of products and are constantly looking to develop new ones. It is exciting to work on something different each day with committed and enthusiastic colleagues.

Fun Facts

Favourite Food: I just love food so really depends what mood I am in but can never go wrong with a good roast dinner

Favourite Movie: Another tough one for me but always been a fan of Batman since I was small so have to go for ‘The Dark Knight’

Favourite Holiday Destination: Cyprus. My fiancé and I are there most summers and it will be our wedding destination in 2021

Favourite Colour: Blue – Pantone 299C

Cats or Dogs: Dogs

Winter or Summer: Summer

Hobbies: Football – when not working, the rest of time is spent playing and coaching

If you were a label, what type of label would you be: I would be a full process colour label on a PE with a high tack adhesive. Bright and positive outlook on things, fully committed and determined to achieve targets so difficult to remove once stuck on something and flexible and stretchy to cover various projects at one time

Sales Manager

Adam Newman

Sales Manager

Joined Labelnet: 2018

I was born in South Wales and spent most of my early career working across various roles within the steel industry. In 2018 I relocated to Essex to work for Labelnet, and have been here for over 3 years now. I enjoy working alongside a great team of people.

Fun Facts

Favourite Food: Pizza

Favourite Movie: Back To The Future

Favourite Holiday Destination: Mexico

Favourite Colour: Black

Cats or Dogs: Dogs

Winter or Summer: Winter

Hobbies: Football, fan of Derby County and Wales

Interesting Fact About Yourself: I am the same height as the Labelnet forklift!

If you was a label, what type of label would you be: One that was stuck to a cider bottle!!

Production Supervisor

Matt Adcock

Production Supervisor

Joined Labelnet: 2010

I worked as a screen printer for 3 years then joined Labelnet after seeing an advert on a notice board…10 years later I am still here and enjoy it here as there’s a nice family feel with the team.

Fun Facts

Favourite Food: Thai Beef Penang

Favourite Movie: Wolf of Wall Street

Favourite Holiday Destination: Ibiza

Favourite Colour: Red

Cats or Dogs: Cats

Winter or Summer: Summer

Hobbies: Socialising, spending time with my daughter and working overtime

Sales Representative

Richard Baldwin

Area Sales Representative

Join Labelnet: 2003

I started off as a relief manager in pubs, then moved into the print world working at my previous company for 5 years. I joined Labelnet as a Sales Rep and 17 years later I am still going strong. I love having my own geographical area to work in and the trust which the company give me to manage my own clients, makes it an enjoyable job for me.

With 22 years experience within the print industry now, I have grown amazing relationships with my customers and offer my extensive knowledge to help with their orders.

Fun Facts

Favourite Food: Sunday Dinner with all the trimmings

Favourite Movie: Step Brothers

Favourite Holiday Destination: France

Favourite Colour: Blue

Cats or Dogs: Neither

Winter or Summer: Summer

Hobbies: Cycling, play guitar in a band, and fishing with my boys

Interesting Fact About Yourself: I used to be a tandem skydiving instructor (before the kids came along)

If you were a label, what type of label would you be: Semi-Gloss / 1 Colour / Matt Varnish. Removable  🤣

Sales & Accounts Administrator

Tracey Cooper

Sales & Accounts Administrator

Joined Labelnet: 2007

I worked for an e-commerce company selling childrens toys before joining Labelnet and have now been in the print industry for over 13 years. I love working with my lovely colleagues at Labelnet.

Fun Facts

Favourite Food: Oooh…tough one…spag bol I think!

Favourite Movie: Love Actually…or Dirty Dancing…no Love Actually

Favourite Holiday Destination: Cuba

Favourite Colour: Black

Cats or Dogs: Dogs

Winter or Summer: Winter

Hobbies: Keeping fit, cleaning and shopping!

Interesting Fact About Yourself: I can roll my belly

If you were a label, what type of label would you be: I’d be a matt, black vodka label with gold hot foiling…oozing sophistication 🙂

Sales Representative

Louise Taylor

Sales Representative

Joined Labelnet: 2017

I worked in fashion for 9 years before having a change of career. I have been in the print industry for over 3 years now and it’s the amazing team we have that make it all possible at Labelnet.

Fun Facts

Favourite Food: Lobster Ravioli

Favourite Movie: Forrest Gump

Favourite Holiday Destination: Barbados

Favourite Colour: Blue

Cats or Dogs: Dogs

Winter or Summer: Winter

Hobbies: Obsessed with interior design!

Interesting Fact About Yourself: I once done a personal shopping appointment with Shirley Bassey

If you were a label, what type of label would you be: An embellished label because I love anything sparkly!

Financial Controller

Joe Dixey

Financial Controller

Joined Labelnet:  2018

I started out as a Finance Operator at Shell after graduating from University in 2012, before spending 4 years developing knowledge and gaining the ACCA qualification whilst at Meda Pharmaceuticals. I progressed on to a Financial Controller role in the construction industry, and then moved to Labelnet over 2 years ago.

Fun Facts

Favourite Food: Spaghetti Bolognese

Favourite Movie: Shaun of the Dead

Favourite Holiday Destination; Singapore

Favourite Colour: Green

Cats or Dogs: Dogs

Winter or Summer: Summer

Hobbies: Travelling, football, cars and video games

Interesting Fact About Yourself: Completed a 2500 mile rally across 10 different European countries, including the famous Stelvio Pass in the Alps and driving around the Monaco F1 circuit

If you were a label, what type of label would you be: Beer label

Marketing Executive

Jessica Bedford

Marketing Executive

Joined Labelnet: 2018

I trained as a beauty therapist and worked in various salons for several years but got into office work after travelling and found my love for marketing. I have been in the label industry for 2 years now and forever learning new things. I love the team here, there’s a proper family feel and everyone works hard to make sure we deliver quality labels on time to our customers.

Fun Facts

Favourite Food: Roast Dinner with Mash

Favourite Movie: I love typical girly films so Dirty Dancing…but also a massive Harry Potter fan!

Favourite Holiday Destination: Thailand

Favourite Colour: Pink

Cats or Dogs: Cats

Winter or Summer: Summer

Hobbies: Movies, festivals and travelling the world (if that counts)

Interesting Fact About Yourself: I travelled South East Asia, Oz, NZ and Fiji for a year and did a skydive when I was 21

If you were a label, what type of label would you be: It would have to be a pink label with a decorative glitter varnish just because I love pink and sparkles!

Sales Administrator

James Flower

Sales Administrator

Joined Labelnet: 2019

Before joining Labelnet I worked for a communications company as an account manager but got into the print industry last year. I enjoy being part of the team as each day is different and I work with a kind hearted team.

Fun Facts

Favourite Food: I am a massive foodie so love all foods but I’m going to go with a Bouillabaisse (a French fish stew)

Favourite Movie: Step Brothers for making me laugh and Moulin Rouge (at Secret Cinema is even better!)

Favourite Holiday Destination: Baritz (France) – it is where I proposed to my wife

Favourite Colour: Red

Cats or Dogs: Dogs…but I wouldn’t want them living in my house

Winter or Summer: Winter (you can’t ski in the Summer)

Hobbies: Golf, Skiing, Football and Cooking

Interesting Fact About Yourself: I am a doting dad to my little princess Phoebe and am useful in the kitchen

If you were a label, what type of label would you be: A peel and reveal 😉

Sales Representative

Steve Baker

Sales Representative

Joined Labelnet: 2018

I have been in the print industry for over 30 years now and started off on the shop floor on machines, then went onto ordering materials, scheduling, estimating and lastly order processing, before coming a sales rep.

Labelnet is a great place to work as everyone is friendly, we produce quality products and offer great prices! What more could you want 🙂

Fun Facts

Favourite Food: Steak and chips

Favourite Movie: Top Gun, Dumb and Dumber, Green Mile

Favourite Holiday Destination: Thailand or Florida

Favourite Colour: Red

Cats or Dogs: Both

Winter or Summer: Summer

Hobbies: Football, Films and Caravanning

Interesting Fact About Yourself: I’ve walked a Lion and a Tiger & washed an Elephant in the river

If you were a label, what type of label would you be: I’d be a Beer Bottle Label. Bright and easy to read, with a varnish layer to protect from the elements and wet strength adhesive to hold its own in deep water   

Sales Representative

Tony Carvajal

Area Sales Representative

Joined Labelnet: 2019

I worked in the IT distribution before moving into the print industry 14 years ago. I have been with Labelnet for over a year now and love that although I am based remotely and not in the head office, I am always made to feel part of the Labelnet team.

Fun Facts

Favourite Food: Seafood Paella

Favourite Movie: Snatch

Favourite Holiday Destination: Galicia, Spain

Favourite Colour: Yellow

Cats or Dogs: My Zuchon (Dog) Bella

Winter or Summer: Summer, I’m a Spaniard!

Hobbies: Golf, DIY, Walks with the dog

Interesting Fact About Yourself : I’ve played football in the same team as Andoni Goikoetxea. Football fans may remember him as the “Butcher of Bilbao” after he broke Maradona’s ankle

If you were a label, what type of label would you be? Tintoretto Gesso material with a gloss finish, same as my oily Mediterranean skin

Sales Administrator

Holly Wonfor

Sales Administrator

Joined Labelnet: 2020

After leaving University I worked as a waitress and have now recently joined the Labelnet team. I will enjoy the new challenge working within the print industry and being part of a friendly team.

Fun Facts

Favourite Food: You can’t beat a roast dinner (pork with crackling)

Favourite Movie: Love Actually

Favourite Holiday Destination: Lapland

Favourite Colour: Green

Cats or Dogs: Dogs…I’m actually allergic to cats

Winter or Summer: Summer

Hobbies: Running, socialising with friends, watching movies and eating

Interesting Fact About Yourself: I have a twin brother…and yes we do have the twin telepathy

If you were a label, what type of label would you be: A prosecco label with gold foiling