Meet Ivona Whitelock
Behind every sheet of finely crafted paper lies not only innovation in production but also the dedication of people who build lasting partnerships with customers - our account managers. Their expertise, commitment and personal touch ensure that every customer feels supported, from the first inquiry to the finished product.
From setting up a new office with limited resources to witnessing delfort paper used in the Coronation Bible of King Charles III, Ivona's story is a testament to resilience, collaboration, and pride in creating something that endures, both on paper and in relationships. Her story reflects the very essence of what makes our company thrive: people who care, connect, and deliver.
Name
Ivona Whitelock
position
Account Manager
location
United Kingdom
department
Sales
team delfort since
2003
when paper meets history: a once-in-a-lifetime honour
"Throughout my journey with delfort, I’ve been privileged to support UK publishers in producing exceptional titles spanning legal, financial, medical, and scientific knowledge. Equally meaningful is that our paper has been chosen for many religious publications around the world. One truly extraordinary moment was when King Charles III was sworn into service holding the Coronation Bible printed on delfort paper. A once-in-a-lifetime honour that perfectly encapsulates the pride and responsibility of the work we do."
From maternity cover in the Czech Republic to leading UK sales, what sparked this incredible journey?
After graduating, I was looking for job opportunities in my local area in the Czech Republic when I came across OP Papírna. I joined the company as maternity cover in the sales department, supporting English-speaking customers - a role I truly enjoyed thanks to the wonderful team around me. I was immediately impressed by the expertise of the PM5 production team and our technical service colleagues, who taught me a great deal about both our products and the paper industry.
Following that initial experience, I was offered a permanent position, and two years later, I had the exciting opportunity to help establish the UK sales office alongside Jutta Poutiainen from the Tervakoski mill. That was 22 years ago, and ever since, I’ve been proud to support and build lasting relationships with our UK and Irish clients.
What were the greatest challenges and proudest moments you experienced during the process of moving from the Czech team and setting up the UK sales office?
I have always felt exceptionally well supported by the teams at OP Papírna and Tervakoski. Whenever our clients needed urgent assistance, their flexibility and willingness to go the extra mile truly set us apart from our competitors. Thanks to this strong partnership, we were able to build and maintain the high service levels for which we are so well known.
In those early days, we had to be remarkably resourceful and adaptable, as we didn’t yet have the luxury of superfast broadband. Most communication was done over the phone, with orders received and confirmed via fax. On one occasion, a major power cut during the Christmas holidays caused us to lose four office computers. Since then, we’ve made it a priority to have robust backup systems in place. Fortunately, we had maintained paper copies of all orders, so our customers were completely unaffected.
Many once predicted that paper publishing would become obsolete, yet print continues to offer unique advantages in a digital world.
In a paper manufacturing sales business, customer needs and market trends must have changed significantly over 22 years. How have you adapted your sales approach to stay ahead?
Although many once predicted that paper publishing would be obsolete by 2015, it has become clear that learning from print continues to hold unique advantages over digital formats - which now dominate so much of our daily lives. Numerous studies have shown that students who study from paper consistently outperform those using digital media. Reading on paper promotes deeper comprehension and retention, while also avoiding the eye strain, concentration difficulties, and sleep disruption often associated with prolonged exposure to blue light from screens.
After more than two decades, what still motivates you to come to work every day, and what are you most excited about for the future of the UK sales office?
New challenges constantly come our way, from evolving regulations to shifting macroeconomic trends, and we embrace them as opportunities to learn and grow. This continuous learning keeps me motivated and inspired.
I am proud to be part of a company so deeply driven by sustainability. delfortgroup continually expands its portfolio, innovating packaging designs made from sustainable sources and driving positive change. Many of our products are already recyclable, helping to reduce environmental impact.
We also take great pride in knowing that our paper is used for medical leaflets, playing a vital role in safeguarding life-saving medications and improving people’s lives every day.
By creating printed materials designed to withstand time and environmental conditions, we are leaving a legacy for generations to come.
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