Over the coming months, we’d like to start introducing you to some of our incredible Parallel team as they share their stories and find out more about what they love about working for Parallel. This month, we asked Steven Luff, one of our Senior Sales Consultants, to tell us about his role, journey and plans for the future.

“I joined Parallel back in March 2024 and have worked in the print industry for over 20 years; after a short career break, I met the Managing Director, Gavin Auckland, and instantly liked everything he stood for – hearing his goals for Parallel and passion for running a Managed Print Services company based on integrity convinced me that Parallel was the right next step for me. I really enjoy working with MPS contracts as there is a real creativity to what we do – we always start with a blank canvas, and each customer is different, helping them to gain access to a system that meets their individual goals and seeing it in action actually saving them time and money is a real moment of pride.

I work in an external sales role, and my role focuses on expanding the ‘Click. Print. Donate’ initiative, which closely aligns with my values. This fantastic initiative gives a percentage of every page printed to the Muscle Help Foundation – a charity with which I have been personally involved for over a decade. The Muscle Help Foundation is really close to my heart and the idea of them partnering with Parallel was a bit of a eureka moment for me – there is a real synergy between the two organisations – both are passionate about making a difference and are at a size where they can ensure that their efforts have a real, personal impact.

The Muscle Help Foundation was set up by the incredible Michael McGrath MBE and supports children with muscle dystrophy by providing life-changing “Muscle Dream’ experiences. Michael himself suffers from this condition and is a powerhouse – he was the first disabled person to lead expeditions to the North and South Poles! Seeing how the Muscle Help Foundation works at ground level is so inspiring, and I try to attend as many of their events as possible – the smiles on the faces of the children and their families show how far every bit of support goes.

It’s not just about helping the children, though; the families receive an immense amount of support too. When you meet these families and hear their stories, you realise what they endure daily. Being able to contribute to MHF through our Managed Print Services is incredible, especially knowing that something as simple as printing pages can fund experiences that bring so much joy and relief.

In my role at Parallel, I’m focused on raising the company’s profile, particularly in London and the home counties, but really, I’ll go wherever the opportunity takes us. The industry has changed a lot over the years – print volumes might be decreasing as businesses shift toward digital processes, but that’s created new opportunities for us. Digital workflows are transforming the way businesses operate, but I’ve always said that the physicality of print is still really important. Despite the digital shift, there’s still something unique about holding a printed document in your hands, and I don’t see that disappearing anytime soon.

Why Parallel? From the moment I met Gavin, I knew this was where I wanted to be. His empathy, drive, and genuine passion for making a difference are rare in an industry where integrity hasn’t always been front and centre. Gavin doesn’t just talk the talk – he takes action, and he’s built a company that thrives on doing things differently. Whether it’s through supporting causes like the Muscle Help Foundation or delivering Managed Print Services that truly meet the needs of our clients, Parallel is always about integrity and impact.

I’m excited about the journey we’re on. From where Parallel is now to where it’s headed, the future looks incredible, and I’m proud to be part of that. Being able to contribute not just to the business’s success but also to a cause as meaningful as MHF makes this journey even more rewarding.

As I continue to build relationships and expand the Click.Print.Donate initiative, I look forward to seeing just how far we can go, both as a company and as a force for positive change. Here’s to the future – one that’s driven by integrity, creativity, and a genuine commitment to making a difference.”

Thank you to Steven for sharing his story and journey with Parallel so far, we’ll leave with you a comment from Parallel’s Managing Director Gavin, “Steven was a great addition to our team, and we are so grateful that he introduced the Muscle Help Foundation to us, working with them has been nothing short of inspiring. Seeing the direct impact we can make through our Managed Print for Muscle Dreams initiative is incredibly rewarding. Steven’s passion for the cause and his drive to make a difference align perfectly with our values. The smiles and joy this brings to children with muscular dystrophy and their families remind us why we do what we do. It’s an honour to support such an amazing cause together.”