A FAMILY printing business has been given a new lease of life with a new owner.

FASPrint, which was owned by John and Lorraine Heslop, was set up 30 years ago by Lorraine’s family. The couple have now sold the company, based in Ousegate, Selby, to Caroline Andrew-Johnstone, a contact the Heslops made through networking.

John, who is also regional leader for Yorkshire of networking group 4Networking, said: “When you have nurtured something for so long it is difficult to let go, and we were adamant that we wanted to sell the business to someone who we knew would be able to take it forwards and develop it.”

They approached Caroline, who has worked in the print industry for more than 25 years and attended the networking group on behalf of her employer, a competitor based in Leeds.

“I have known Caroline for a few years now and I have always liked and admired her lust for life and work. Already being in the print industry was a bonus, and I knew she had the right work ethic to complement FASPrint,” John added.

Caroline joined the business, which employs four people, in November as sales director and became managing director earlier this year. She trebled the turnover of the business in four months and secured national clients, including the 4Networking brand, and has now bought the business.

Caroline tried to set up her own business 20 years ago, but it didn’t work and she said she had not had the courage to try since, but with her drive and corporate sales experience, the opportunity has given her the courage once again to run her own business.

“When John asked me what I thought of the idea, I jumped at the chance,” she said. “I would like FASPrint to become a national organisation and I want people in the Selby area to think only of FASPrint when they think about print.”

Lorraine will remain with the business part-time and John will also remain in a consulting capacity.

Caroline is also launching a 4Networking Selby group, of which she will be area leader, with the first event taking place on July 4 at The Wishing Well, Selby Business Park.