Opus Group chief executive Cliff Brigstocke has stepped down from his longstanding tenure and shifted to a sales and marketing role, as executive chairman Richard Celarc moves into the CEO position immediately.

Brigstocke had led the diversified print group since its inception in 2007, and Knox Print Media before that, and will now assume the role of managing director sales and marketing.

According to Opus, Celarc will step into the CEO role while also maintaining his existing executive chairman duties, and Brigstocke will now focus on sales and revenue.

Celarc took on the role of executive chairman in 2015, promoted from executive director in 2012. He has been a print business owner for 30 years, his Ligare business was a key part of Opus. 

“Following a review of the current executive management structure by the board, the following role changes will come into effect immediately following this announcement,” the company says.

Before trading under the Opus name, the group began as Knox Print Media, pieced together by Kiwi p/e fund Knox, with print companies including Ligare and Cactus Imaging and Omnigraphics New Zealand.

Brigstocke headed the company through a turbulent period before Hong Kong printer 1010 Printing bought Opus’ $51m liability in exchange for 62 per cent of shares.

The management change comes soon after the group was able to shed its debt and book a $12m profit for the 2015 full year.

Opus operates two major arms, publishing and outdoor media, and has operations in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.

Comment below to have your say on this story.

If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at editorial@sprinter.com.au.  

Sign up to the Sprinter newsletter