John Glenton Mills, aged 84, was the Chairman of Mills Media. The company, that remains family owned, was founded by his grandfather Thomas Mills III in 1876.

Before joining the family business in 1948, John spent three years with the Royal Air Force, followed by a two-year course at the Blackpool School of Photography. He took over the running of the company from his own father in 1950. With a focus on commercial, industrial and aerial photography, John’s vision was always clear – to build our business into one of the leading photographic company’s in the north if not the UK.

Throughout the next forty years, John welcomed experienced hands, nurtured new talent and embraced innovative technology.

In 2004 The John Mills Group became Mills Media Ltd, a new name to sum up the all-encompassing services offered by the company. Although the reins were now in the hands of his son Andrew as Managing Director and daughter Jenny as Financial Director, John retained his interest in the business as Chairman.

John Mills was recognised across the region as an astute yet fair businessman and a photographer of some repute. He was to shape the business through a number of brave commercial decisions that expanded services in both scale and scope.

In 1960, John purchased larger premises on Hope Street, in Liverpool city centre. It was his vision and knowledge in the field of photography that brought further expansion by opening a processing laboratory in 1965. This was followed three years later with the opening of a colour print laboratory.

John finally realised his professional ambitions in 1977 when he created a purpose-built studio in Arrad Street. Now the entire photographic operation was working from under one roof. A video department was launched at the studio in 1983 and John was pivotal in developing the business as technology advanced rapidly throughout the next two decades.

As a former President of the British Institute of Professional Photography (1966 to 1967) John was invited by Kodak in the United States to talk about his industry experience. The opportunity to cross the Atlantic and converse with fellow professionals was a trip he truly relished.

John’s dedication to his craft never diminished and he continued to photograph the many greats of Liverpool’s industrial and commercial scene. From business leaders to celebrities, whatever the commission, it was John’s people skills and warm personality that allowed him to get the ‘best shot’. Even after he hung up his camera, clients returned time and time again because John had passed on his own high standards to every member of the team.

Andrew Mills said: “My father was both an excellent photographer and perceptive businessman. Photography is not just about the camera, it’s the person behind it who is essential to the success of the shot – and my father was up there with the best. He trained countless Liverpool photographers over the years, many of whom have gone on to run their own studios.”

John Mills’ experience and industry knowledge resulted in him being awarded the BIPP accolade of Honorary Fellow in 1992. A tireless supporter of local charities, John remained actively involved with the Round Table, Birkenhead Boys Club, The Athenaeum Club and 41 Club for many years. His favourite leisure pursuit was always sailing and he was fondly referred to as ‘Flags’ at the Treaddur Bay Sailing Club where he had been a member for almost 40 years and served as Flagstaff Officer between 1984 and 1992. He was made an Honorary Member in 2008 for services to the club.

Andrew Mills said, “My sister Jenny and I are very proud of the company that he built and the reputation for quality that still remains to this day. We hope to carry on the family name for many more generations and continue to grow the business as my father did for many years.”

“As well as a visionary entrepreneur, my father was a kind and loyal family man. He made many friends within the media industry, with his clients and also with employees. He will be remembered very fondly and sadly missed by everyone who knew him.”

John, an old boy of Alsop High School in Walton, was married to Beryl Pope and had four children, Judith, Sally, Jenny and Andrew. He leaves behind Beryl, his four children and 10 grandchildren.

The funeral is being held on Thursday 5th August, 13:00hrs at St. Peters Church, Lower Heswall.

Whatever your Photography requirements, Mills Media has the skills and experience to deliver the highest quality, creative images.

• Public Relations
• Construction
• Architectural
• Product
• Portraiture
• Timelapse
• Industrial
• Studio
• Aerial
• Food

*Orders to be completed before 31st August 2010 to agreed timescales between you and your Mills Media Project Coordinator. Applicable to all photographic services. Terms and conditions apply

The 375 strong audience applauded this year’s winners across a variety of business categories and Mills Media were there to provide the full range of show facilities.

AV, set design and construction, plus live camera feeds to the big screen were all co-ordinated perfectly at the event that was hosted by Radio Merseyside’s Roger Phillips.

Mills Media not only supplied a new set for 2010 but also more plasma screens around the marquee and awards music that certainly raised the roof!

Working closely again with the WiN team, Mills Media has produced the live event since 2008.

The Mills Media creative team were on hand to direct the showcase that also featured dancing, lights and music from the College’s performing dance students.

Taking place over two days and with some 435 students receiving their honours, Mills Media supplied a grand set design in keeping with the prestigious event. The conference specialists also supplied audio play-ins and live camera feeds. Ably assisted by the venue’s in-house crew, the 2010 celebration will go down as one of the best ever.

Mills Media’s latest production is entitled ‘Witness Support, Preparation and Profiling’. Created for the Merseyside Criminal Justice Board (MCJB), the 22 minute DVD is an integral part of a new training package designed by Liverpool City Council’s Investigations Support Unit.

The aim of the DVD is to encourage current social workers across England and Wales to develop their existing skills and therefore be able to provide vital support to vulnerable witnesses involved in criminal cases.

The programme features a series of interviews with senior social workers, legal professionals, police officers, a parent carer and a vulnerable witness who appeared at four trials involving serious sexual abuse.

This is a compelling programme that brings to light the changing face of the legal system so that justice is fair for every member of society. Without this level of social worker support, many cases involving people with serious learning disabilities simply could not be prosecuted.

The programme was launched at the MCJB Conference ‘Stronger Communities’. Mills Media provided all set, AV and seminar facilities for the event held at Liverpool’s Crowne Plaza Hotel.

The Village Square scheme is part of a £93 million investment partnership to revitalise the 40-year-old Runcorn new town estate.

Mills Media managing director Andrew Mills said the firm won the commission after a competitive bid for the work.

“We have worked with Cheshire East Council before and were very pleased to win the bid for the production services,” he said. “The stand featured the ‘Love Food Hate Waste’ campaign and consisted of three marquees, a display trailer, and a garden.  We provided various elements of the stand including producing and installing ten triangular banner towers, banners for inside and outside all the marquees, printed materials, and branded chefs uniforms for the Cheshire East Council staff. We worked to a very tight timescale (5 weeks from initial contact to installation) and produced all the event collateral in budget.”

Richard Bramhall, Communications Manager for Cheshire East Council said that the design work Mills Media produced fitted in perfectly with their campaign.

The ‘Love Food Hate Waste’ campaign needed strong images and designs within the nationwide guidelines,” he said.  “Mills Media completed the brief exactly how we wanted and gave us an award-winning result. They also went an extra mile in promoting our stand on the day by designing and broadcasting two Bluetooth ad campaigns, which were sent to everyone within a 200m distance encouraging them to visit our stand.  We look forward to working with Mills Media again in the future”

Mills Media’s exhibition and design department has recently completed work for companies including  Peel Ports, Muller, National Caravan Council, Bibby Line, TM Lewin and the ECA Group.

The stand utilised the T3 airframe system which is an incredibly flexible modular system. The framework is built from interlocking aluminium tubes which can be configured to form almost any shape imaginable. This was then covered in ‘seamless’ graphics panels to provide an impressive and imposing presence in the exhibition hall. One of the main benefits of coming to Mills Media was that the entire stand was pre-built in our studio, so Peel Ports could see the stand as it progressed. This virtually eliminates the risk of the build going wrong at the venue.

Peel Ports had a very successful show and were full of praise for our service, our product and most importantly our staff. We are looking forward to a long and productive relationship with Peel Ports.