Fisher takes on policy role at IPG

Richard Fisher, former managing director of academic publishing at Cambridge University, is to take on a new policy role with the Independent Publishers Guild (IPG).

As academic correspondent, Fisher has provided monthly updates on issues in and around Higher Education which impact on the academic publishing community within the IPG. Now, as academic and policy correspondent, Fisher will widen his brief to update all IPG members on significant policy news and their likely impacts on day-to-day publishing operations. His contributions will be free to all IPG members.

As well as keeping members informed, Fisher's expertise will help to guide the IPG’s own strategies, events and engagement with government on issues relevant to publishers.

IPG chief executive Bridget Shine said: “Richard has very quickly become an integral part of the IPG team, and his wisdom is valued by our members and ourselves. We are delighted that he will now add even more benefits to IPG membership by monitoring national issues affecting independent publishers and reviewing their practical implications. The IPG now has more than 600 members, and it is more important than ever that we stay abreast of policy and represent our sector where needed. Richard will help us to do just that.”

Fisher said: “I am truly delighted to be working for the IPG in this expanded capacity. Over the next few years British publishers will be interacting with public policy, whether national or international, in a myriad of ways, well beyond the traditional core concerns of intellectual property, taxation and employment law. I hope both to introduce and to interpret major policy moves as they affect our sector, working with colleagues within publishing, government and education. At this moment in British history I don’t anticipate any shortage of issues to think or write about.”

In October last year, Fisher joined the advisory board of the London Book Fair.