Superstat has announced the retirement of its Founder and part-time Chairman Ivan Dunn. Ivan started the office supplies dealer group in 1994 and has been part-time Chairman ever since. 

After studying for a degree at Newcastle University, Ivan joined the Office Supplies Industry in his mid-'30s.  He started Concorde Packaging with his business partner, and 1st Choice Stationery, supplying adhesive tapes to iconic names such as Universal Office and Cartwright Brice.

With Ivan as Chairman, and Chris Collinson as MD, 1st Choice began supplying a more comprehensive range of products to the trade, and Ivan saw a gap in the market for a dealer group.  Superstat’s second annual conference welcomed 200 people, both dealers and suppliers. The business went from strength to strength, and Ivan believes helped many hundreds of dealers along the way.

Ivan’s son Alex, now MD, joined the business 25 years ago, along with Karly Haley, Marketing Director, who now run the business with Richard Lockley, Sales Director. 

During his retirement Ivan intends to spend his time on his many interests including his family, keeping fit, his Male Voice Choir, golf, and West Ham United where his father was a player. Ivan is also passionate about rugby, having played over 1,000 games, many at a senior level. Ivan further intends to develop his charitable work with the United Nations Association and UNICEF.

Alex Dunn said, “over the last 25 years Ivan has been a great source of inspiration, motivation and occasionally cash. My overriding thought is that I want to thank him for giving us a fantastic opportunity. We have solid foundations, amazing dealer and supplier partners and a wonderful team that want to take this business forward. I know I speak on behalf of everyone when I wish Ivan and Jackie all the very best.”

Ivan would like to thank all the brilliant, lovely people he has met and worked with over the years in the office supplies business and wishes them all enormous success and happiness in future years.