Governance. Nobody talks about governance in publishing but in the university press world it is really quite important. The governance structure of a press is vital to its ability to function: stifle press leadership and agility and entrepreneurship (both as essential in the world of mission-driven publishing as they are in the corporate world) become impossible, but limit oversight and sometime, somewhere the wheels inevitably fall off.

For Liverpool University Press our Board of Directors is a key part of the governance structure, comprising four non-executive directors and three executive directors from within the Press’s leadership team. Our non-execs, split into two ‘publishing’ appointments and two ‘university’ appointments are the critical friends who help to ensure LUP is everything it should be. Richard Charkin and Toby Faber bring years of industry experience. Professor Georgina Endfield FBA, our incoming Chair, is a distinguished researcher and author. Our newest NED, Matt Greenhall, is a leader in the academic library world.

But I want to focus specifically on the retiring Chair of the Board of LUP, Professor Fiona Beveridge, who is standing down after more than a decade. The first woman to chair the Board of Directors of a major UP in the UK, Fiona has been at the helm through a period of unprecedented growth for the Press. She has been a champion for us when times have been hard and a firm supporter when new opportunities have arisen. She has connected LUP to its home university, while understanding that our operating circumstances are entirely different. She has enabled the executive team to steer the ship but always been available with good advice.

In short, Liverpool University Press has been fortunate to have Fiona Beveridge as its Chair, and we are grateful indeed for her decade of service to the Press. LUP has trebled in size since she joined the Board. Those seeking an example of good governance need look no further.

Anthony Cond, Chief Executive

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