Hachette announces restructure, King to oversee international divisions
Hachette has announced a restructure, involving changes to its UK and US operations, that the publisher says is ‘designed to meet consumer needs in all formats and fuel Hachette’s growth in the UK, the US, and international markets’, reports Book Brunch.
In the UK, the Hachette UK (HUK) business will be structured into three core areas of publishing: adult trade, children’s trade, and education, to be headed by three CEOs—Katie Espiner, Hilary Murray Hill, and Seshni Jacobs respectively. Among changes in the US at Hachette Book Group US (HBGUS), Ben Sevier has been promoted to president and publisher of Grand Central Publishing, and is now also responsible for Hachette Nashville and its imprints.
In addition to changes at the US and UK offices, Hachette Book Group and Hachette UK CEO David Shelley announced Hachette would combine the leadership of the US and UK distribution business under Matt Wright, who is currently CEO of Hachette UK Distribution.
The restructure also includes changes to the management of the company’s international divisions: Charlie King—previously Little, Brown managing director, and most recently Little, Brown CEO—is now CEO of HUK International Divisions, leading Hachette Australia and Hachette New Zealand, as well as Hachette India, Hachette Ireland, and Laurence King Verlag. King will report to Richard Kitson, who has led Hachette UK’s international businesses since 2010 and who now becomes chair of HUK International Divisions in addition to other roles.
Said Shelley: ‘As Richard Kitson’s work has developed across all English-language markets, and as our international businesses under his leadership have shown unprecedented growth, it feels like the perfect time to help further fuel that growth with the promotion of Charlie King to directly oversee these businesses as CEO. Charlie has achieved extraordinary results for Little, Brown in recent years, consistently demonstrating exceptional leadership. I know he and Richard—who will remain very involved as chair—have big plans for the Hachette companies in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, India, and Germany, and we are lucky to have dynamic, exceptional leaders in each of these countries.’
Hachette Australia CEO Louise Stark told Books+Publising: ‘Hachette Australia looks forward to the new opportunities from the changes at Hachette UK and HBGUS, in particular working with Charlie King in his new role supporting Hachette UK’s international businesses.’
Category: International news
