The Bookseller’s Alison Bone reports that Peter Field, who currently runs Pearson and Penguin in Australia, will add chief executive of Penguin UK to his responsibilities starting in November. He is taking over responsibilities for the UK group from John Makinson, who will continue to run Penguin Group worldwide. Penguin managing director Helen Fraser will report to Field.
Makinson said holding both the UK and global roles had been necessary “during a period of strategic and structural change in London,” but this 18-month process was now largely complete. “I decided earlier this year that I should hand over my UK responsibilities, but only if the business here was performing well and we could recruit the right candidate for the role. Those two conditions have been met in spades.”
Field said: “It is a genuine privilege to be joining Penguin UK when the future is so bright–a fabulous publishing group supported by creative marketing and a vibrant sales team. I look forward to a fast induction to the UK market and contributing to our continuing success.”