A NEW publisher has been appointed at Gazette Newspapers – and she is looking forward to finding out more about the people and companies that make Basingstoke a great place to do business.

Liz Bond took up her post at the start of this month – and the former Trinity Mirror publishing director, who was previously in charge of 14 titles in London and Surrey, is relishing her new role.

“The Gazette is a vibrant paper and so is the town,” said Liz. “Because Basingstoke is growing, this gives us opportunities for growth, both in print and online.

“And the website audience is very impressive. I think our readers like the offering we have.”

Liz added: “The challenge in newspapers is to get the right balance and make sure that we serve the community while at the same time being successful and driving forward revenues – creating new platforms and engaging with the readers and advertisers. That, after all, is the challenge for all news-papers in print and online.”

Liz has been in the newspaper business for more than 30 years, starting her career in telesales at the Reading Evening Post, and later becoming advertisement director at Guardian Media Group.

Liz – who will also oversee the Andover centre – said: “I am pleased to be here, and am really excited about working with the great team at Gazette Newspapers. I am also looking forward to meeting and getting to know all the movers and shakers in Basingstoke and north Hampshire.”