Barry and Somerville leave HCG as Cattell joins

Clare Somerville, commercial director at Hachette Children’s Group (HCG), and Susan Barry, marketing and communications director at HCG, are to leave amid changes at the company.

Hilary Murray Hill, c.e.o. of HCG, said Barry will leave the company in December to “pursue other interests”. Meanwhile, Somerville will leave the company in November.

The group’s marketing and publicity department will now be split in two, with Katy Cattell, currently PR and communications director at Egmont, taking on the job of group communications director. After joining in January 2017, she will be responsible for all author, illustrator and brand publicity and report to Murray Hill.

HCG’s marketing will be headed by marketing director Lucy Upton, who has been promoted to the role of group marketing director.

“The way in which we reach our audience has changed and the appointment of these two outstanding communications and marketing professionals to separate new roles reporting directly to me, signifies the importance marketing and communication in our publishing and is a major investment in the promotion of our books, authors and illustrators, and our publishing strategy,” said Murray Hill. “The new structure also reflects the marketing and communication roles in Hachette’s adult divisions, and in publishing more generally.”

Murray Hill added: “I know I speak for my colleagues and our authors and illustrators in expressing my gratitude to and admiration for Clare and for Susan for all they have contributed to our success. We wish them both every success and happiness in the future.”