Above: Deborah Burgess at Women in Print breakfast event in Sydney

Women in Print has paid tribute to executive chairman of IVE Group Geoff Selig following his sudden death while on holiday in Europe.

Speaking at this morning’s Women in Print breakfast event in Sydney, Deborah Burgess, NSW patron of Women in Print and joint managing director of Bright Print Group, said Selig was an industry icon and a strong supporter of Women in Print.

“On behalf of Women in Print, we offer our sympathy and sincere condolences to Geoff’s family, friends, and colleagues, and in particular to the IVE team members at this morning’s event,” said Burgess.

“Geoff was a true gentleman. I had the privilege of knowing him and he was very much a pioneer within the industry, taking IVE to the success that it now enjoys.

“He was a lovely man, incredibly intelligent, and passionate about the printing industry. His staff admired him and were very loyal to him and that speaks volumes as to his values and character. He will be missed by the industry.”

In a statement IVE Group said Selig’s death was “caused by unforeseen complications arising from an accident in Barcelona”.

“The board, management, and the whole IVE family expresses its deepest condolences to Geoff’s family following this tragic event,” the company said.

“Geoff played a major role, over 40 years, in establishing IVE as Australia’s leading marketing and communications business, in the process, reshaping the landscape of the Australian printing industry.”

Gavin Bell, the company’s lead independent director, has been appointed as interim chair of the IVE board.

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