James Portsmouth Q&A
7th August 2009
James Portsmouth is 4DM Group's managing director for mailing services. Married with two children, he is a self-confessed Formula One 'nut' and his dream job is being behind the wheel of one of the cars. More realistically, his favourite print job would be the Wolverhampton Wanderers' matchday programme.
Why did you get into printing?
My father was in the industry all his life and print gave
him a wonderful career. As I grew up, I could see the
enjoyment he got out of it and wanted the same
What would be your dream job?
In my dreams, an F1 driver
What is your dream bit of kit?
Continuous inkjet with the quality of litho, but cheaper.
It's getting closer all the time
What would you most like to print?
Wolverhampton Wanderers' matchday programme, full
colour digitally personalised, mailed to season ticket
holders' homes the day before the game
Who or what do you hate the most?
The politics of politics
What is your favourite phrase or saying?
The bitterness of poor quality is long remembered after
the sweetness of a low price
What is your favourite album?
Kanye West, 808s & Heartbreak
What is the strangest job you've ever done?
Emptying dead flies and spiders out of plastic bottles and
packing them on a lorry heading for Spain
Who would you like to be stuck on a desert island with?
The Queen. I really admire what she does and she must
have so many wonderful stories to tell of people she has
met during her reign
Who would be your favourite party guests?
The Rolling Stones in the hope they would just get up and
jam
What is the worst kind of print?
The bill in a good restaurant