Taking the chair
We sat down with Annie Couldrey for her first interview as the new head of the Young Stationers
Letter from the Publisher
Hello reader. Welcome to the latest edition of The Stationer!
Spring is upon us and change is in the air. After an incredibly rewarding two (and a bit) years as chairman of the Young Stationers, I have decided it is time for someone else to bring new ideas and fresh perspectives. The wonderful Annie Couldrey, of Rebel Stationery, is taking over. And you can meet her in an exclusive interview in this issue. The plans she has in place are amazing. Stay tuned for more on that front.
When I first stepped up to the chair in 2023, one of the initiatives I was most keen to launch was a newsletter for young professionals in our industry. In February that year, I met up with our tame editor Bill Bowkett for some Mexican food in London Bridge (El Pastor, if anyone’s interested — decent grub) to figure out how to make it happen.
Now here we are, about to publish our 20th issue of The Stationer, reflecting on the achievements, challenges, highs and lows that have flown by since we tucked into soft shell crab and beef brisket tacos on that mild February lunchtime. (Anyone else hungry?) It’s been an incredible two years, and I feel lucky to have collaborated with a community of ambitious, creative, and generous young professionals — and now, mates.
So this May, take the plunge: message that person, pitch that idea, go for that lunch. Who knows — it might just lead to a two-year stint running a newsletter and a few dozen tacos along the way!
As always, if you are interested in contributing to The Stationer, wish to share a job opportunity, or simply fancy having a chat, feel free to drop me a line at robert.wilding96@gmail.com.
Enjoy the issue.
Rob Wilding, Publisher of The Stationer.
‘My mum always thought I would take over her business. But I was determined to do my own thing’
Annie Couldrey is the co-founder and creative director of Rebel Stationery, a London-based sustainable luxury diary and notebook brand. She worked for retail stationery stalwart Esmonde Publishing, where she was lucky enough to learn the ropes from her mother and Past Master Helen Esmonde. Here, she reveals the secrets to her success — and her plans for the Young Stationers…
Tell us a bit about yourself
I have been working in retail stationery for a decade now. I did not go to university and went straight into work from school. My mum had always thought I would take over her publishing business. But I was determined to do my own thing. I was really driven by design and creativity. So when I helped to launch Rebel, we wanted to create something we would be really proud of.
How did you get involved with the Stationers’ Company?
My mum was a stationer who actually became master of the company! I had another small business that specialised in marketing and I think she was hoping that one day I would join. I suppose I saw what can be achieved in terms of benefits for younger people in the industry. Early in her career, she had been a teacher, so education was always important to her. That is probably one of the proudest things that the Company has done… the way they really want to nurture young talent and provide opportunities. So I think it was seeing that side I knew I wanted to be a part of it.
What are you hoping to achieve as chair of the Young Stationers?
Obviously, the wider company has a huge membership. When people join, especially young people who might not have had much experience of the corporate world or networking, it is about giving them a safe place to be able to talk about their hopes for their careers and the places they want to go. One of the best ways of doing that is through socials… opening up the whole scope of possibilities. Whether that is forming a working relationship, or close friends, which I think they benefit from.
What would you say is your proudest achievement?
I suppose the first time that we saw our incorporation letter affirming that we had a registered business. Seeing it for the first time, being like, ‘Wow, we can actually do this’. We will be celebrating our first anniversary in May. Also, unpacking and seeing our products for the first time. That was a really big moment. Just seeing all that work, all that love come out, all those thoughts in your head come out and create something. It was also special seeing my mum’s portrait in Stationers’ Hall because she paved the way for women like me to own a business.
What direction do you see the content and communications industries heading?
Telecommunications is constantly expanding. Certainly, individuals have more control of their own image and on social media. Stationers has moved with the time. And in all the industries they represent… it is beneficial for everyone to have someone who works traditionally in print and paper. Many people in the wider world would think that it was a dying form. Actually, something like Instagram has really upheld it again. Lasting things are being made like stationery. In terms of a setting factor, nostalgia is massive. Positive all the way.
Interview by Bill Bowkett
Industry takeaways
British journalists are getting older, more left-wing and increasingly freelance, a survey of more than 1,100 reporters by Reuters found. Read the full story in Press Gazette.
The Publishers’ Licensing Service and the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society have agreed to the development by the Copyright Licensing Agency of a new collective licence for generative Artificial Intelligence. The Bookseller has more.
From selling gadgets with no batteries to slimmed-down packaging, these are some of the ways companies are retooling their warehouses to reduce costs and avoid raising prices amid Donald Trump global import taxes. The Independent has the details.
Meanwhile, Simplified, a Florida-based stationery maker, has become the first company to legally challenge the US president’s China tariffs, claiming they were imposed illegally and threaten small businesses, The Guardian reports.
And finally… Türkiye’s Today has a wonderful read on how the country’s first paper museum in Yalova is keeping an Ottoman papermaking tradition alive.
Opportunities board
Summer Internship Programme, The Really Useful Group (London) — Apply by May 16
Design Internship, Little, Brown (London) — Apply by May 18
Newsroom Apprentice, Financial Times (London/Manchester) — Apply by May 22
Bursary, The Children's Media Conference (Sheffield) — Apply by May 26
SevenUp Programme, Warner Bros Discovery (Britain) — Apply by May 28
The Stationer is edited by Bill Bowkett. Please send thoughts, feedback and corrections to bill.bowkett@btinternet.com. Follow the Young Stationers on Facebook, X and Instagram. For more information, visit www.stationers.org/company/young-stationers.