'A year I will always remember' - James Smith

“The economic environment has been challenging, to say the least. Big challenges call for big achievements, and that’s what you delivered,” he said on Thursday in an end-of-year message.

Enumerating some of those achievements, Smith mentioned innovative products, expansion into higher growth regions around the world, the tireless work of sales and service teams, the courage of journalists, and progress on a programme called Customer First.

“When times are tough, you can really see the greatness of a company and its people,” Smith said, mentioning the Manila flood in the summer and Hurricane Sandy more recently “when many of you worked around the clock to keep our customers in business and still managed to reach out and help your colleagues with food, shelter and emotional support. 2012 was a year of challenges and you always rose to meet them.”

He added: “... thank you again for making my first year as CEO one that I will always remember”. ■