Publishing veteran Bill Mackarell has become the latest addition to book printer Ligare's board, in a move which is underlines the company's strategy of strengthening the alliance between the publishing and printing industries.
On the board he will join CEO Cliff Brigstocke, executive chairman Richard Celarc as well as Bret Jackson and Tim Sumner, both from the company's private equity backer Knox Investment Partners.
Mackarell commenced in publishing as the marketing manager for John Wiley & Sons. He then moved to head up Cassell and Collier Macmillan Australia before being appointed as managing director of Associated Book Publishers.
He then moved into professional publishing as the managing director of The Law Book Company and oversaw a number of acquisitions that significantly developed the company as part of the Thomson group.
Cliff Brigstocke, CEO of Ligare told Australian Printer Mackarell was appointed as he has been known to Ligare for some years. He added that Mackarell's role will include ongoing advice outside the board meetings, participating in projects, as well as working with customers.
Brisgstocke says, "We are expanding the board. As we grow our business we want to make sure we have a good level of governance. Mackarell will help develop a strategic plan to grow the business and challenge our thinking to help the board connect with the publishing industry.
"We want guidance with that level of experience because we don't want to just assume the view of the publishing industry from a printer's perspective, we want a publishers view."
Currently sitting on a range of boards in a range of different industries Mackarell is a past president and life member of the Australian Publishers Association.
Brigstocke says, "Bill has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the publishing industry having been actively involved over the past 39 years. He will be an active member of the Ligare board supporting strategy development and providing a strong external view to ensure Ligare's exciting development continues."
The next board meeting will be in June with sustainable growth at the top of the agenda.
