SunBrand Technolgies

Martin Hawkins – Executive Director, Client Services

Originally trained as a Colour Retoucher in a Reprographics department in the design to print graphics industry before leaving the graphics industry to undertake an Honours Degree.  Returned from the University of Nottingham with an Industrial Economics degree (2:1) and has been at Sun Branding Solutions since 1996 applying technical, IT and commercial knowledge, having now spent more than 17 years in this dynamic industry.

Spent several years as the Account Director at the Head Offices of a major retailer on behalf of Sun Branding Solutions and was actively involved in all New Product Development across all packaging formats and substrates. 

Instrumental in the creation, commercial control and management of value added services to leading clients and participated fully in the evolution and development of client facing technology solutions for the management of Brands and Retailers.

This led to the creation of the technology division - SBT incorporating the world class brand management application ODIN and Executive leadership of this division is also part of the role.

As Executive Director retains accountability for all Sun Branding Solutions and SBT Client Service personnel and is a key interface for numerous blue chip clients tasked with the strategic development and roadmap of the ODIN application on a global basis.

Julia Emptage – Team Leader, Client Services

Has 10 years experience within the print and packaging industry, covering a range of packaging formats and print processes.

Prior to joining Sun Branding Solutions, spent 5 years as Account Manager at one of the UKs largest screen printers of point-of-sale promotional material to a prestigious client base of major retailers. Based in the clients Head Quarters, managed their POS promotions and projects through the various processes from origination and proofing to retail distribution nation-wide.

Joined Sun Branding Solutions in 2004 as Account Manager at the Head Office of a major retailer. Involved in New Product Development, primarily the management of artwork for packaging from design to print, ensuring high quality of service maintained throughout process.

In 2008, joined the SBT Client Service team to utilise working knowledge of the ODIN application and Account Management experience and drive world class service within the team.

Christopher Hunter - SBT Technical Project Manager

Has over 11 years of experience in web application development and project management of technical projects.

A Graduate of Sheffield Hallam university where he completed a 4 years honours degree in Business Information Systems, achieving a lower first degree.

Currently responsible for all software development within Sun Branding Solutions technology department, SBT, overseeing UK resources and off shore resources.

Having gained Prince2 accreditation he has the necessary skills to work closely with both clients and technical resources to analyse, review and implement software solutions and to ensure SBT continues to produce a world class solution for their clients.

Simon Donkin - SBT Business Development Manager

Simon has over a decade of sales and marketing experience. He has held senior sales and marketing roles in a range of companies. He has worked selling CRM and Enterprise Level solutions, building sales teams, developing sales processes and managing sales channels.

Currently responsible for all SBT Business Development within Europe which involves overseeing all client engagement, creation of the sales and marketing strategy and also client handover.

Simon is also heavily involved with the future roadmap of ODIN and advising clients on all new developments.

Neil Swallow - Technical Director

Neil is currently the operations director of SBS and along with other qualification holds a certificate in company direction from the IOD and is a registered Prince 2 Practitioner.

Having worked at SBS since 1988 Neil has been involved heavily both in their traditional graphic production and the transition to becoming an IT service supplier. Working in the graphics area for this amount of time he have a vast amount of experience dealing with all stakeholders involved in the graphic launch process from brand owners and designers to printers and manufacturers. Having also worked in, headed up and now directing and managing the research and development, IT and graphic production functions of the business he has a fantastic insight into how these disciplines can be brought together to benefit clients.

Neil was one of the original team working on the ODIN project back in 2001 and today is responsible for all development and working with internal and external clients to deliver the product roadmap and technical direction.