Mike Barnard spent the first part of his working life as a freelance writer and then as a reporter, sub editor and editor on newspapers and magazines. He joined the Macmillan publishing group in 1972 and was appointed to the main board in 1985. He is the author of many articles and short stories and several technical books. He is a Liveryman of the Stationers Company, a Fellow of several professional associations and a former Chairman of Pira International, the printing and publishing industries¿ research association. He also lectures on publishing and production and is a Visiting Professor at the University of the Arts, London.