David Kassler, global chief executive of Williams Lea Tag, will make his industry debut at the March event, where he will offer a fresh perspective on the some of the challenges and opportunities facing the modern print industry.

Calling on a decade’s worth of experience as a chief executive of private equity-backed businesses in the media, technology and creative sectors, including EMI Music, Deluxe Entertainment and DeviceMesh, he specialises in understanding rapidly evolving industries, and then identifying and embracing approaches to drive them forward.

“As a newcomer to the industry, I am really looking forward to hearing and contributing to the debate at PrintWeekLive!,” said Kassler, who will deliver his opening keynote at PrintWeekLive! on Wednesday 7 March.

He will use his experience to provide insights about ‘The Customer Experience’ and the role channels can play especially in Digital Transformation. David’s session will be a must for anyone interested in hearing about how brands work with Williams Lea Tag and how the print industry can become more agile in the future.

“With a proven track record of recognising and seizing opportunities in industries going through change, I’ve no doubt that David’s session will set the tone perfectly for two days of inspirational sessions,” said PrintWeek editor and publisher Darryl Danielli.

“The conference programme has been developed with two things in mind: to offer valuable take-away content that will benefit attendees' businesses and deliver on the ‘inspire, innovate and initiate’ strapline of the event. In isolation the conference does just that, but when combined with an exhibition featuring the leading equipment and services suppliers and an informative workshop programme, PrintWeekLive! becomes an unmissable event.”

Other keynote speakers on day one include Hobs Group chief executive James Duckenfield on 'The innovation imperative' where he will share hard-earned insights on why innovation is imperative for the survival of your business and why there should be no sacred cows when it comes to driving change.

Patrick Headley, Go Inspire chief executive, will share his thoughts on how the industry can embrace the imminent introduction of the new General Data Protection Regulations as an opportunity, rather than fear it as a threat.

Jenny Shutt associate director at leading accountancy group Grant Thornton UK will detail how changing your approach to working capital can result in better business performance, often equating to at least 5% of turnover, and highlight some top tips you can take back to your own business.

Solopress co-founder and managing director Aron Priest will mix inspiration and hard-learned business lessons in equal measure and talk about how he and his business partner decided when was the right time to sell and how they prepared the business for a sale.

Day one will be rounded off by Simon Biltcliffe, founder and chief executive of Webmart. He will highlight how delegates can and should look at new markets and new potential clients, digital pureplays, that can create new demand and bring in new work – rather than fight for ever diminishing returns in their traditional hunting grounds.

Mike Newman, partner at The Business Allotment, will kick off day two’s conference proceedings on 8 March by issuing a call to action for printers to embrace their manufacturing expertise and reposition themselves as the ‘lead supplier’, to offer a credible alternative to print management.

In his session, BPIF chief executive Charles Jarrold will discuss the changing role of print in a multichannel world.

Paul Holohan, chief executive of print M&A specialist Richmond Capital Partners will use his session to cover topics from preparing for the sale process, spotting obstacles to a successful sale, valuing the business, and structuring the deal itself. His session will also offer valuable insights to business owners looking to grow through M&A.

Michael Burman, managing director FE Burman will then talk passionately about why printers need to regain their position as trusted communications experts if the industry is survive and thrive.

The conference programme will then be wrapped up with a keynote from Harler director Dominic Harris, who will talk about ‘the future of print buying’ and one of the key questions facing brands owners: in-house versus outsourced print management.

Both days will also feature a lunchtime panel discussion.

On day one, PrintWeek’s Jo Francis will talk to a group of young printing industry entrepreneurs about their experiences and how they were inspired to get into print and the lessons they’ve learned.

To coincide with National Apprenticeship Week, day two will feature a panel of printing industry apprentices sharing their industry journey so far and their aspirations for the future.

PrintWeekLive! takes place on the 8 and 9 March at the Wasps Arena, Coventry.

As well as an inspirational conference, PrintWeekLive! will feature a show floor crammed with the latest tech and applications from companies including Canon, Epson, Heidelberg, Imprint-MIS, Riso, Tharstern, Vivid Laminating Technologies, Xeikon and Xerox, to name but a few and manufacturer-led workshops.

Places at the conference sessions will be strictly limited, the only way to guarantee a place is by registering for the show and reserving a seat at your chosen conference sessions. For more information, visit printweeklive.com.