The Bookseller.com

14th October 2008

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Agents threaten to quit PFD

17.09.07

There are various reports of agents leaving or threatening to resign from literary agency PFD following the appointment of Caroline Michel over their heads as chief executive. Among the agents reported by the Independent to be off are Pat Kavanagh, Simon Trewin and Caroline Dawnay.

Howvever, it is unclear whether they are resigning because of Michel's arrival or because a £4m buyout has been thwarted. The Telegraph reports that after the buy-out was thwarted, 11 agents - including senior company directors - resigned amid rumours that they intended to start a rival agency and take their star names with them.

Kavanagh tells the Times: "I resigned some time ago. I think that David Buchler [chairman of CSS] and Caroline Michel have some sort of vision that I don't share." However, elsewhere she admits that though she has resigned she has yet to leave her job.

The Times reports that Michel already has some allies at PFD. Veteran agent Michael Sissons is believed to have been a key player in luring her. Michel said that she remains optimistic about persuading key staff to stay. "It is incredibly important to keep the agents at PFD," she said. "I have talked already to quite a few of them with new propositions. It is very early days, but I am hopeful. An agency is a people business, and agencies work best when they have consistency. PFD has a terrific tradition built up over many years and I want to keep that, and improve it."

Independent

William Morris PFD Caroline Michel